WRITTEN QUESTION E-3810/02 by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Transport of animals.
Date: 2003-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal welfare, proposal (EU), protection of animals, technical standard, transport of animals, transport regulations

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/191

(2003/C 155 E/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3802/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Natura 2000 network in Galicia (Spanish state)

(7 January 2003)

A large number of areas of natural beauty for which applications have been made for inclusion at a future
date in the Natura 2000 network are now severely affected by the ‘Prestige’ oil spill. Will the Commission
now treat
the Natura 2000 network, with a view to enabling
implementation of all the economic,
legal and scientific observation measures provided for under the
habitats directive (92/43/EEC (1))?

these areas as de facto parts of

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2003)

The Honourable Member has expressed his concern in relation to the accident caused by the Prestige and
its impact in the Natura 2000 network in Galicia, Spain. The incident poses a serious threat to marine
wildlife and coastal habitats in Galicia especially to the Natura 2000 sites.

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna
and flora, the ‘Habitats Directive’, is the main Community instrument for safeguarding the European bio-
diversity. The preservation, protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, including the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, are essential objectives of general interest for
the Community. The main instrument to reach these goals is the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.
Therefore any site included in the Natura 2000 network has to be considered as of high ecological value.
Each Member State is responsible for identification, designation and conservation of the sites, which are
important for the protection of the species and habitats of Community interest.

In the provisions of the Habitats Directive it is stated that Member States shall take the appropriate steps to
avoid the deterioration of natural habitats and habitats of species as well as the maintenance and
restoration at a favourable conservation status.

The coastal areas of Galicia are included in the Atlantic bio-geographical region. The Spanish authorities
have proposed 60 Galician sites of Community importance to be included in the Natura 2000 network.

For the Commission all these sites are parts of the Spanish proposal for the Natura 2000 network,
therefore, all the provisions of the Habitats Directive must be applied to the sites.

(2003/C 155 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3810/02

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Transport of animals

The Commission’s report on the implementation of the Transport Directive (91/628/EEC (1)) clearly
demonstrated that most Member States do not properly enforce transport rules and as a consequence
many animals suffer unnecessarily, particularly those which travel
long distances for slaughter. The
Parliament in its report of November 2001 proposed several major changes to the Transport Directive, one
of which would limit long road journeys to eight hours or 500 km. Such a change would eliminate a great

C 155 E/192

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

deal of animal suffering and should be discussed in the context of a Commission proposal for an amended
directive.

Can the Commission explain why this proposal has not yet been published even though it was promised
several months ago?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2003)

The Commission is aware of the Parliament resolution of 13 November 2001 (1) and shares the opinion of
the Honourable Member of the priority given to this subject.

Before adopting its proposal the Commission needed to be updated on the latest scientific data concerning
the transport of animals. The Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (Scahaw)
adopted a report on the welfare of animals during transport on March 2002. It provided a comprehensive
scientific review of issues related to animal transport.

The question of animal transport and in particular the maximum duration of the journey was also debated
at the Agriculture Council of September 2002. On travelling times the debate was contentious and the
Commission considered that further consultation was necessary.

Therefore the Commission consulted both the European citizens and the relevant organisations on the
issue. Both initiatives have proved to be successful. Over the Web, more than 4,000 citizens from all over
Europe expressed their agreement to the broad measures that the Commission intends to propose.

Several measures supported in this consultation have been expressed in the resolution of the Parliament of
November 2001, such as better vehicles’
improved
communication between competent authorities.

training certificates

for drivers or

standards,

The Commission foresees the adoption of its proposal on the protection of animals during transport
during the first semester 2003.

(1) A5-0347/2001.

(2003/C 155 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3812/02

by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Immersion schools in France

More than twenty years ago activists working in defence of native languages and cultures in Brittany,
Occitania, Alsace, Euzkadi Nord and Catalogne Nord set up immersion schools in which teaching takes
place right from the start (nursery school and the beginning of primary school) in the respective languages
of these regions, resulting in native language-French bilingualism by the end of primary school. State
schools have also developed education systems in which French and the native languages are placed on an
equal footing.

The French State is now calling this type of education into question.

Does the Commission believe that this is compatible with the rights of minorities as supported by the
Council in Copenhagen and with the respect due to the cultural and linguistic diversity recognised as an
integral part of the European heritage?