WRITTEN QUESTION P-0781/03 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Trade in horses.
Date: 2003-03-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: equidae, foodstuffs legislation, health certificate, health control, international trade, transport of animals, veterinary drug

C 242 E/176

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

9.10.2003

In the case of acts that are carried out by or on behalf of a foreign state (including acts of war), the
question might arise whether this state would enjoy state immunity from the jurisdiction of the courts of
other states for such acts. However, a response to this question would depend on the precise state of
international law in this evolving field, and on the specific circumstances of the act in question.

(1) COM(2000) 890 final.
(2) OJ C 203 E, 27.8.2002.
(3) A5-0328/2002 final.
(4) COM(2003) 63 final.

(2003/C 242 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0781/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Trade in horses

With reference to the Commission’s answer to question P-1386/02 (1) on the trade in horses issue, could
the Commission detail the outcome of the follow-up mission to Ireland, which was planned by the FVO
for the second half of 2002.

And could the Commission indicate the result of the inquiries undertaken by the Commission services in
charge of public and animal health and animal welfare, with the competent authorities in the UK and
Ireland, on the controls within the framework of Council Directive 90/426/EEC (2), and provide me with a
copy of the findings.

(1) OJ C 229 E, 26.9.2002, p. 212.
(2) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 42.

Answer given by M. Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2003)

With reference to the question raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission would like to provide a
follow-up to its reply to Written Question P-1386/02.

Between 25 and 29 November 2002 the Food and Veterinary Office carried out the mission in Ireland
referred to in the above reply. However, the mission could not, as initially planned,
investigate the
movement of equidae, but had to concentrate on long distance international transport of cattle.

Nevertheless, as regards equidae, from the Commission’s inquiries with the competent authorities in Dublin
and London it would appear that the transposition of Decision 2000/68/EC of 22 December 1999
amending Commission Decision 93/623/EEC and establishing the identification of equidae for breeding
and production (1)
into Irish and British law respectively is well advanced but not completed. The
consultation with stakeholders has been or will be completed and agreement has been reached on the
organisations designated for issuing passports for equidae for breeding and production.

taking into account

The Commission,
the discussions in the Parliament and in the Council on a
Commission proposal (2) for an amendment of Directive 2001/82/EC of the Parliament and of the Council
of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products (3), has prepared a
draft modification of Decision 2000/68/EC providing more details on the operation of this identification
system. This aims to achieve a systematic and complete identification of equidae. However, this new draft
requires further discussion because identification of equidae not only has public and animal health
implications, but is also affected by Community legislation on breeding and competition.

(1) OJ L 23, 28.1.2000.
(2) OJ C 75 E, 26.3.2002.
(3) OJ L 311, 28.11.2001.