WRITTEN QUESTION E-0878/03 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council. Pre-stunning of animals in Greek slaughterhouses.
Date: 2003-03-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EC Directive, EU control, European Commission, Greece, application of EU law, protection of animals, slaughter of animals

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/109

These questions and others have again been raised in the January 2003 Commission Green Paper on
European Space Policy (2). This document, which was drawn up in co-operation with the European Space
Agency, is intended to launch a broad consultation process that will carry on until the end of May 2003.
Based on the results of that process, the Commission intends to present its conclusions in form of a Space
White Paper before the end of 2003.

On 11 March 2003 the Commission adopted a Communication (‘European Defence (cid:1) Industrial and
Market Issues’ (3)) addressing defence related issues more specifically. It underlines that cost efficiency of
defence spending, the maintenance of a competitive defence and technological industrial base, better access
for European manufactured goods to third country markets, ethics and fairness in the arms trade, security
of supply and the need to respect Member State prerogatives in this sensitive area are all
important
considerations when defining a defence equipment policy. The Parliament had invited the Commission to
address these issues in a Resolution of 10 April 2002.

In proposing action to help establish such a European defence equipment market, the Commission is
seeking to improve the regulatory framework governing the treatment of armaments in Europe. In addition,
in the area of research linked to global security, the Commission will invite Member States, industry and
the scientific community to help identify common needs and pool know-how and investments to jointly
develop technologies that could be critical for Europe’s long-term security. The Commission looks forward
to the reaction of the other Institutions on the issues raised.

(1) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003, p. 224.
(2) COM(2003) 17 final.
(3) COM(2003) 113 final.

(2003/C 280 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0878/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council

(21 March 2003)

Subject: Pre-stunning of animals in Greek slaughterhouses

Could the Council confirm what checks are carried out on slaughterhouses in Greece to ensure that the
procedure of pre-stunning of animals is being carried out in accordance with EU law?

Reply

(21 July 2003)

On 22 December 1993 the Council adopted Directive 93/119/EC (1) on the protection of animals at the
time of slaughter or killing, which is designed to establish binding Community rules on the subject.

Article 5(1)(c) of that Directive and the relevant Annex lay down general provisions prior to the slaughter
and killing of animals, which the Member States are bound to observe, and,
in particular, provisions
concerning the authorised procedures and the specific requirements for stunning.

The Council would also remind the Honourable Member that it is not its responsibility to monitor
Member States’ implementation of Community law; this responsibility is devolved to the Commission by
the EC Treaty.

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