WRITTEN QUESTION E-0293/03 by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Animal welfare in Greek slaughterhouses.
Date: 2003-02-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Food and Veterinary Office, Greece, animal welfare, application of EU law, protection of animals, slaughter of animals, veterinary inspection

C 78 E/16

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

These deficiencies relate to key components of IACS. Consequently, the regulatory and administrative
controls, such as computerised cross-checks, cannot be applied and on-farm inspections are not fully
reliable.

The Commission constantly monitors the situation in Greece, and has received certain undertakings from
the Greek authorities regarding progress expected during 2003 that, if such a program is confirmed, would
significantly enhance IACS performance in respect of the claim year 2004, payable in financial year 2005.

(1) OJ L 327, 12.12.2001.
(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3508/92 of 27 November 1992 establishing an integrated administration and control

system for certain Community aid schemes, OJ L 355, 5.12.1992.

(3) OJ L 204, 11.8.2000.
(4) OJ L 355, 5.12.1992.

(2004/C 78 E/0016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0293/03

by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 February 2003)

Subject: Animal welfare in Greek slaughterhouses

A report by the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office in 2000 (DG(SANCO)/1060/2000)
exposed serious animal welfare problems in Greek slaughterhouses. A new film has now exposed
continued serious animal welfare problems in Greek slaughterhouses. The film revealed goats being
slaughtered without any attempt at pre-stunning, in breach of Council Directive 93/119/EC (1), and sheep
being stunned so ineffectively that a significant proportion regain consciousness before throat-cutting,
which is also in breach of Directive 93/119/EC.

What steps is the Commission planning to take to press the Greek Government to ensure that animals in
Greek slaughterhouses are slaughtered in accordance with Council Directive 93/119/EC?

(1) OJ L 340, 31.12.1993, p. 21.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 2003)

The Commission is aware both from past mission reports of its Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) and
information supplied by animal welfare organisations that there have been serious deficiencies in ensuring
respect of the requirements of Council Directive 93/119/EEC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of
animals at the time of slaughter and killing in Greek slaughterhouses.

The poor situation in the past led the Commission to open infringement proceedings against this Member
State. The FVO recently completed a follow-up mission to that mentioned by the Honourable Member.
This mission was carried out between 13 and 17 January 2003. Although the final mission report is not
yet available, some positive developments have occurred since the previous report. The competent Greek
for example, provided appropriate instructions to official veterinarians working in
authorities have,
slaughterhouses in relation to animal welfare, improved the system for reporting deficiencies and recruited
additional official veterinarians. The mission team indicated that in the three slaughterhouses visited,
although deficiencies remained, these were not as severe as indicated in previous reports. However, the
level of progress is not considered conclusive. A further follow-up FVO mission is therefore planned in
2003.

The report of the inspection will be sent to the Parliament when finalised,
in accordance with the
Commission’s usual procedures, and will be published on the website of Directorate General Health and
Consumer Protection: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/index_en.html).

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/17

The Commission remains very concerned about the level of deficiencies in the compliance by Greece with
Community Animal Welfare Legislation, and notably on inadequate enforcement of the rules. It will not
fail to take such other action as is necessary to secure better observance of Community law in this domain
including in particular use of the infringement procedure under article 226 of the EC Treaty.

(2004/C 78 E/0017)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0439/03

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 February 2003)

Subject: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) draft proposal for an Independent

Recourse Mechanism

The G7 laid down in 2002 in Genoa that multilateral financial institutions should set up an independent
compliance mechanism. In response, the EBRD recently issued a proposal for such a mechanism. In
Europe, to date, the proposal has attracted little attention.

As long ago as 1993, the Washington-based World Bank set up a comparable body by establishing the
Inspection Panel. The panel was set up to operate as a public forum for individuals to submit complaints
to the Bank whenever they believe that they are being harmed, or may be harmed, by a project which has
World Bank funding.

The EBRD proposal has been commented on in the following terms by two former Inspection Panel
chairmen:

(cid:1) the proposed compliance mechanism does not guarantee independence for the panel body;

(cid:1) the mechanism cover only part of the EBRD’s activities;

(cid:1) disclosure of information concerning drafts subject to the mechanism is conditional and vague;

(cid:1) persons appointed to the compliance panel do not enjoy sufficiently clear autonomy and effectiveness;

(cid:1) to judge from the proposal, much more emphasis is placed on problem solving than on compliance.

Is the Commission aware of the EBRD proposal and, if so, has it checked the draft against the criteria

1.
laid down by the G8 in July 2000, such as independence, transparency, etc.?

2.

3.

4.

Does the Commission agree with the above criticisms?

If so, does the Commission plan to take action in this connection vis-à-vis the EBRD?

Does the Commission plan to draw greater attention to the proposal and, if so, in what way?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2003)

The draft proposal for an Independent Recourse Mechanism referred to by the Honourable Member has
already been discussed by the Board of Governors and the Board of Directors of the EBRD and has been
endorsed in principle by its committee for financial operations and policies, which is responsible for such
matters.