WRITTEN QUESTION P-2207/02 by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission. Cruel treatment of animals at livestock markets in Belgium.
Date: 2002-07-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, EU control, Food and Veterinary Office, animal welfare, infringement procedure (EU), live animal, protection of animals, sale, transport of animals

C 28 E/192

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

(2003/C 28 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2161/02

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: Welfare of animals in livestock markets

Instances of cruelty against animals at livestock markets throughout the European Union continue to
surface. Recent filmed evidence by the welfare group, ‘Animals’ Angels’, highlighted quite shocking animal
cruelty in two livestock markets in Belgium. This sort of physical abuse and basic neglect is going
unchecked at the very heart of the European Union.

Would not the Commission agree that European legislation laying down basic protection for animals at
livestock markets should be drawn up as soon as possible?

(2003/C 28 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2207/02

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 July 2002)

Subject: Cruel treatment of animals at livestock markets in Belgium

The Commission is aware of several serious allegations of breaches of the Animal Transport Directive at
livestock markets in Belgium and has indicated that it is investigating the matter. However, while it
assumes responsibility for animal welfare ‘on farm’, during transport, and during slaughter,
the
Commission maintains that the ‘general’ protection of animals from cruel treatment remains a matter for
national authorities. This implies that evidence of cruelty to livestock when the animals are still in the
hands of the transporter will lead to infringement proceedings, whereas cruelty to animals at other times is
technically permissible. Does the Commission consider that this indicates inconsistency in its commitment
to animal welfare?

If the Commission feels that, from a public and animal health perspective, cruelty to animals in these
specific circumstances (during rearing,
to merit
legislation, why is it not possible to extend the existing regulations to treatment of animals at any stage
in their lives?

transport, and slaughter)

is sufficiently important

Respect for animal welfare was enshrined in the Treaty of Amsterdam as part of Community policy on
agriculture, transport, the internal market and research. This appears to be interpreted as applying to
animal welfare protection on farm and at slaughter, but not during sale. Does the Commission have any
plans to extend the interpretation to bring livestock markets under Community legislation on treatment of
animals?

(2003/C 28 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2244/02

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(23 July 2002)

Subject: Animal welfare in marketplaces

Given the examples of cruelty alleged by animal welfare groups at livestock markets in Belgium and the
role that markets can play in transmitting disease between animals, does the Commission see a need for
the introduction of a Markets (Protection of Animals) Directive to provide basic standards for Europe’s
marketplaces? Will the Commission carry out a study of the conditions in marketplaces across the EU and
the regulations that govern them, in order to assess whether such action, or other appropriate measures,
are needed?