WRITTEN QUESTION E-1826/02 by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Spain's adaptation of the Directive on intra-Community trade in Equidae.
Date: 2002-06-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, administrative powers, application of EU law, armed forces, equidae, national implementing measure, public institution, traceability, zootechnics

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/237

(2002/C 301 E/251)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1826/02

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(27 June 2002)

Subject: Spain’s adaptation of the Directive on intra-Community trade in Equidae

Council Directive 90/427/EEC (1) of 26 June 1990 on zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing
intra-Community trade in Equidae provides for studbooks to be maintained either by recognised
organisations and associations, or by Member State official agencies.

Almost all the Member States have decided that studbooks will be maintained by organisations. Spain,
however, has opted in favour of an official agency, which is also permitted by the Directive. The problems
lies in the fact that, at present, a royal decree has been proposed for the autonomous body for the
management of the horse-breeding service to be designated as the official agency, which strangely enough
belongs to the Ministry of Defence and which is made up of military personnel, as if horse rearing was still
dominated by the military, as it was in the past.

Does the Commission consider that the military aspect of the autonomous organisation could compromise
breed conservation and the proper registration procedures?

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 55.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 2002)

With reference to the question raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission wishes to refer to
Council Directive 90/427/EEC of 26 June 1990 on the zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing
intra-Community trade in equidae (1), and Commission Decision 92/353/EEC of 11 June 1992 laying down
the criteria for the approval or recognition of organizations and associations which maintain or establish
stud-books for registered equidae (2).

In accordance with Article 2(c) first indent of Directive 90/427/EEC a studbook is defined as a book,
register, file or data medium maintained by an organisation or an association officially approved or
recognized by a Member State or by an official agency (service) of the Member State concerned. Such
approval or recognition may be extended to a military body if it meets the required conditions.

In accordance with Article 1 of Decision 92/353/EEC the authorities of the Member State concerned must
grant approval or recognition to any organisation or association which maintains or establishes a stud-
book, providing it meets the conditions set up in the Annex.

Where an officially approved organisation or association for a given breed already exists, or more than
one, the approval of a new organisation or association may only be refused for two reasons:

(cid:1) if it endangers the preservation of the breed or jeopardizes the operation of the improvement or

selection programme of an existing organisation or association, or

(cid:1) if equidae of that breed may be entered or registered in a specific section of a studbook maintained by

an approved organisation or association.

These criteria also apply to agencies or services establishing or maintaining stud books.

In February 2002, Spain notified the approval of nine organisations primarily involved in the preservation
of indigenous breeds of horses. The notification also indicated that the ‘Service for Horse Breeding’
maintains the stud book for various breeds, including the Pure-bred Spanish Horse, Thoroughbred, Arab
horse, Trotters etc. In some cases these stud books are considered stud books of the origin of the breed,
although there has never been a formal notice to the Member States and the Commission in accordance
with Article 5 of Directive 90/427/EEC of the principles to be laid down in accordance with point 3 of the
Annex to Decision 92/353/EEC.

C 301 E/238

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

The situation in Spain described by the Honourable Member reflects the limited authority the Commission
has in relation to the approval of breeding organisations or breeders associations and moreover in relation
to stud books maintained by official services.

A procedure for settling disputes between organisations or associations or, in a second step, between the
competent authorities of different Member States is provided for in Commission Decision 92/354/EEC of
11 June 1992 laying down certain rules to ensure coordination between organizations and associations
which maintain or establish stud-books for registered equidae (2); if necessary the Commission may lay
down rules to ensure co-ordination between organisations or associations in accordance with Article 4(e)
of Directive 90/427/EEC.

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.
(2) OJ L 192, 11.7.1992.

(2002/C 301 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1841/02

by Georges Garot (PSE) to the Commission

(24 June 2002)

Subject: Shallot production

The French fruit and vegetable intertrade association and shallot producers in western France are
concerned at plans put forward by the Commission’s Directorates-General for Agriculture and for Health
and Consumer Protection which call for the standardisation of shallot and onion production on the basis
of those products’ trade descriptions.

This approach is worrying on a number of counts:

(cid:1) it is incompatible with the European Union’s stated intention to promote the European agriculture
model and it seriously detracts from the multifunctionality of agriculture,
in particular the aspects
thereof which are concerned with the environment (biodiversity) and with product safety and quality;

(cid:1) it goes against

the decisions taken at

reference to rural
development. The purpose of this second pillar is to maintain activity in rural areas; the main
European shallot production method goes a long way towards meeting that objective, despite
receiving no support;

the Berlin Summit, with particular

(cid:1) it runs counter to the sustainable-development strategy drawn up at the 2001 Göteborg European

Council;

(cid:1) lastly, it is at odds with the substance of the 2000 White Paper on food safety and, in particular, with
the major principles of increased product quality and safety and better provision of information to
consumers.

How can the Commission account for its failure to take the major principles and rules of conduct which it
has adopted into account in its study, analysis and handling of the problems relating to shallots?

What interests and what policy is it really aiming to promote? Should the European texts relating to
shallots not be reconsidered?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 2002)

The Commission is not currently drafting any texts aimed at standardising shallot and onion production or
their trade descriptions.

However, it has emerged from a complaint submitted to the Commission that French shallot producers,
particularly in Brittany, are very concerned by the fact that shallot seeds have been placed on the market.