WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337/02 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Circus animals.
Date: 2002-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal show, animal welfare, competence of the Member States, performing arts, protection of animals

C 309 E/224

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

(2002/C 309 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2325/02

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Equal access to fisheries resources for all Member States

(26 July 2002)

In the reply which Mr Fischler, Commissioner, gave to Question H-0476/02 (1) during Question Time at
the European Parliament’s 2 July 2002 plenary sitting in Strasbourg, he implied that, with effect from
1 January 2003, the same laws would apply to all the Member States (including Spain and Portugal), as
would the same principles for determining TACs and quotas and allowing access to Community waters.

Will the Commission say whether or not Mr Fischler’s words meaning that with effect from 1 January
2003, both Spain and Portugal will have free access to fisheries resources within Community waters under
the same terms and conditions as the other Member States (i.e. without any discrimination whatsoever)?

(1) Oral reply of 2 July 2002.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2002)

The expiry of the transitional period laid down in the 1985 Act of Accession means that, with effect from
1 January 2003:

(cid:1) fishing vessels from Member States that were excluded from certain parts of Community waters, such

as the North Sea, will have free access to those waters;

(cid:1) those vessels may fish for species that are not subject to catch limitations and quota allocations under

the Common Fisheries Policy;

(cid:1) the allocation by the Community of new fishing opportunities in those waters (i.e. those not already
allocated) will take into account the interests of all Member States,
in accordance with Article 8,
paragraph 4 (iii) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a
Community system for fisheries and aquaculture (1).

(1) OJ L 389, 31.12.1992.

(2002/C 309 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(26 July 2002)

Subject: Circus animals

The very nature of travelling circuses and menageries means that proper enriched enclosures and exercise
facilities for animals can never be provided, and legislation cannot define suitable conditions. Does the
Commission agree that it would be much easier and more easily enforceable if a complete ban on the use
of performing animals in circuses was imposed? In the short term this may mean some animals will have
to be given to sanctuaries or even killed. In the long term there will be no more double (or triple)
standards in animal welfare laws, with one set of standards for pets, another for farm animals and yet
another for performing animals.

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/225

Answer given by M. Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

The Protocol on the protection and the welfare of animals annexed to the EC Treaty by the Treaty of
Amsterdam states that the Community shall pay full regard to the welfare of animals in formulating
Community policies on agriculture,
It also stresses that
religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage of Member States shall be respected.

transport, the internal market and research.

Circuses would certainly be regarded as belonging to a long cultural tradition in some, if not the majority
of Member States and the use of animals in these performances could be seen as part of this tradition.

The Commission is, moreover, of the opinion that there is currently no legal basis in Community law that
would permit the introduction at Community level of a ban on all performing animals at circuses on
animal welfare grounds.

Furthermore, in the absence of evidence that divergent national approaches were hindering the functioning
the
the internal market or other relevant Community objectives laid down in the EC Treaty,
of
Community’s power to act on circuses is very limited. Therefore, the decision whether to ban animal
performances at such events or to define under which welfare conditions they should be accepted remains
a matter under the sole responsibility of the Member States.

(2002/C 309 E/258)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2345/02

by Benedetto Della Vedova (NI) to the Commission

(29 July 2002)

Subject: Use of European Social Fund resources for the Edunet project

With reference to my Written Question E-0103/01 of 29 January 2001 concerning the use of European
(Centro Servizi Terziario, via
Social Fund resources for the Edunet project promoted by CST srl
in which the
Tagliamento 45,
Commission stated that action would be taken vis-à-vis Italy’s Ministry of Employment with a view to
the project and the amount of money spent on it, would the
shedding light on the progress of
Commission say what the outcome of that action was and what further information it obtained from the
Ministry of Employment?

I-00198 Roma) and to the Commission’s reply of 8 March 2001 (1)

Is the Edunet project now complete? If so, has a final audit been carried out of the expenditure made in
connection with it?

(1) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001, p. 11.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 2002)

In 2001, the Commission asked the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy simultaneously to:

(cid:1) carry out all necessary checks, and

(cid:1) suspend all advance payments to the Edunet project.

In addition, the Commission has forwarded the case to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).