WRITTEN QUESTION P-0206/03 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Export of sheep from Spain to Greece.
Date: 2003-01-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, Spain, application of EU law, export, sheep, slaughter of animals, transport of animals, veterinary legislation

C 161 E/194

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

France and Ireland have not yet transposed Directive 98/5. These instances of failure to act were noted by
the European Court of Justice in the judgments it handed down, respectively,
in case C-351/01 on
26 September 2002 and in case C-362/01 on 10 December 2002. If no communication of transposal
measures is forthcoming, the Commission will pursue the infringement proceedings provided for under
Article 228 of the EC Treaty.

(1) Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education
diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years’ duration, OJ L 19,
24.1.1989.

(2) Directive 98/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 to facilitate practice of the
profession of lawyer in a Member State other than that in which the qualification was obtained, OJ L 77,
14.3.1998.

(2003/C 161 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0206/03

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(27 January 2003)

Subject: Export of sheep from Spain to Greece

Each year thousands of sheep are exported from Spain to Greece for slaughter on or soon after arrival.
The journeys take at least 50-60 hours.

Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) provides that, even where vehicles attain certain standards, sheep must
after 28 hours’ transport be rested at a staging point. However, Commission Decision 2001/327/EC (2)
concerning movement restrictions with regard to foot-and-mouth disease prohibits the use of staging
points for sheep for slaughter or production. The effect of these provisions is to limit the transport of
sheep for slaughter or production to an overall maximum of 28 hours. The transport of sheep from Spain
to Greece for slaughter or production must breach either Council Directive 91/628/EEC or Commission
Decision 2001/327/EC.

What steps is the Commission taking to press Spain and Greece to halt this trade as it involves breaches of
Community law?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.
(2) OJ L 115, 25.4.2001, p. 12.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2003)

The Honourable Member correctly, in the Commission’s opinion, describes the legal situation when sheep
certified for slaughter or further fattening are sent by road from the principal sheep production areas of
Spain via France and Italy and the ferry crossings from Southern Italy to Greece.

Breeding sheep, however, may still transit staging points and it is not illegal to have those sheep (which
have to fulfil higher veterinary standards) slaughtered after they reach their destination.

The Commission has already intervened with Greece, Spain and Italy about the matter in order to establish
whether, and if so to what extent, Community law has been infringed in respect of the sheep movements
in question. The Member States concerned have also been requested to confirm that all necessary steps to
ensure the future respect of Community law are being taken.