WRITTEN QUESTION E-0309/03 by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission. National and Community rules and their consequences for beekeepers.
Date: 2003-02-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, apiculture, distributive trades, market approval, organic acid, plant health legislation, restriction on competition, veterinary drug, veterinary legislation

C 222 E/180

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

Regarding the issue set out in paragraph 6, it is for EU Member States to decide on their participation in
military operations on the basis of their national sovereignty. In addition it should be recalled that the
principle of decision making autonomy of the European Union will apply in the context of any operation
undertaken under Title V of the TEU.

(2003/C 222 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0309/03

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Subject: National and Community rules and their consequences for beekeepers

The rules governing the use of lactic acid in beekeeping are applied differently in the individual EU
1.
Member States. How does the Commission view the various economic and environmental consequences of
this state of affairs for beekeeping?

2. Why has the Commission seized the initiative over the obligation of professional associations,
although this matter falls within the remit of the Member States?

3.
To what extent can the rules on the authorisation of lactic and formic acid and the obligation to sell
them only in pharmacies vary in the individual Member States without creating any distortions of
competition under EU legislation?

4.
How does the Commission intend to react, as regards the authorisation of sprays, to changed
methods of cultivation in modern agriculture in which the cultivation of genetically modified plants is
steadily increasing?

5.
Is the provision of sugar for winter feeding covered by European legislation? Which treaties and
agreements are affected by these rules? To what extent does the Commission see the need to act at
European level to redress price trends and thus distortions of competition?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2003)

1.
There are no specific provisions in Community legislation on the use of organic acids (lactic acid) in
hives to combat certain diseases but prior authorisation has to be obtained for their use as veterinary
medicines. It appears nonetheless that in practice the variation in approach between certain Member States
is justifiable given the direct impact of climatic conditions on the yield of this type of treatment.

2.
In 1997 the Council of Ministers adopted Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 of 25 June 1997 laying down
general rules for the application of measures to improve the production and marketing of honey (1).
Article 4 requires the voluntary national programmes to be drawn up in close collaboration with the
representative organisations and beekeeping cooperatives. Thus the Member States are required to involve
these organisations in establishment of the national annual programmes.

3.
The national rules on authorisation of veterinary medicinal products for treatment or prevention of
diseases in bees have to be in line with the relevant Community legislation: Directive 2001/82/EC (2),
Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 (3) and Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93 (4). These provisions do not prevent
Member States from adopting stricter rules on the prescription and delivery of certain veterinary medicinal
products if this is necessary in order to protect human or animal health. Dispensing of veterinary
medicines is a matter for Member States, which are to take all appropriate measures to regulate wholesale
supply and retail supply to owners and keepers of animals.

18.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/181

Authorisation of the use of plant protection products is governed by Council Directive 91/414/EEC
4.
of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (5) and is a specific
responsibility of the Member States. When granting authorisations Member States have to ensure that the
safety requirements of the Directive are met and that the risk management restrictions imposed for active
substances in Annex I to the Directive are adhered to. The Commission has recently set up with the
Member States a Working Group on Herbicide Tolerant Plants and one of its functions is to look at the
possible impact of genetically modified plants on herbicide use.

No. An aid scheme for purchase of denatured sugar was in force from 1968 to 1974. After several
5.
adjustments aid for the sector (purchase of sugar included) was discontinued in 1983 mainly because of
high administrative costs given the sector’s structure: a very large number of highly dispersed recipients,
the majority not being full-time farmers. It is for the same reason that the Commission is not planning to
propose any new direct aids for beekeeping.

(1) OJ L 173, 1.7.1997.
(2) Directive 2001/82/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating

to veterinary medicinal products (cid:1) OJ L 311, 28.11.2001.

(3) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 of 26 June 1990 laying down a Community procedure for the establishment
of maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin (cid:1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.
(4) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93 of 22 July 1993 laying down Community procedures for the authorization
and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Agency for the
Evaluation of Medicinal Products (cid:1) OJ L 214, 24.8.1993.

(5) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2003/C 222 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0310/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Subject: Animal protection and the humane treatment of animals

Cases have been reported of animals being inhumanely treated in Greece, an EU Member State: for no
obvious reason, cows and other farm animals are apparently being kept in pastures with two of their legs
bound together.

The amendment to item 8 of the Annex to Directive 91/629/EEC (1) under which calves may not be
tethered, applies only to calves kept in livestock buildings. Do any legal provisions exist on this matter
covering farm animals in pastures? If so, do they provide for any arrangements allowing animals,
particularly in warm southern regions, to protect themselves from the sun? Do any rules exist to ensure
that animals are supplied with water?

Will the Commission also say whether the provisions governing the transportation of farm animals, in
particular vertebrate animals, are being respected? Scientific studies show that animals suffer particularly
high levels at stress during loading and unloading. Are Community criteria governing staging points in
Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 (2) of 25 June 1997 concerning Community criteria for
staging points and amending the route plan referred to in the Annex to Directive 91/628/EEC (3) being
respected? To what extent are the reports submitted to the Commission by Greece, an EU Member State,
on the humane treatment of farm animals satisfactory?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 28.
(2) OJ L 174, 2.7.1997, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.