WRITTEN QUESTION E-1389/03 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission. Bugging.
Date: 2003-04-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Council of the European Union, European Commission, confidentiality, espionage, protection of communications

7.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 268 E/195

it is important that the current
requirements and welfare considerations for each species. However,
ambiguity is removed and it is for this reason that the Commission is currently working on specific
proposals regarding the procedures, testing requirements and certification for the importation of rare and
exotic species, including zoo animals, from third countries. It is therefore the Commission’s expectation
that harmonised rules governing such imports will be in place in the near future.

(1) Council Directive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992 laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and
imports into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid
down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 90/425/EEC, OJ L 268, 14.9.1992.

(2) OJ L 187, 16.7.2002.

(2003/C 268 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1389/03

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

(15 April 2003)

Subject: Bugging

Two weeks ago it was revealed that bugging devices had been found in the Justus Lipsius building. It is not
known by whom and when the devices were installed. It is possible that this was already done when the
building was being constructed. The situation is very worrying and could seriously damage the economic
and political interests of the Union. The bugging devices only came to light at the Council because a new
security unit had recently been set up which has very sophisticated electronic equipment.

1.

2.

Does the Commission know about this situation?

Does the Commission think that such devices could also be found in its own buildings?

3.
Does the Commission have equipment for detecting bugging devices of this kind, bearing in mind
that confidential information could also be listened in to at the Commission, which could seriously damage
the economic and political interests of the Union? What specific measures does the Commission plan to
take to prevent bugging of its buildings, and when?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2003)

Yes, the Commission security service was briefed about the situation in the Council and its services
1.
co-operated with those of the Council
investigation. The Honourable Member will
understand that no more details can be given because this question is currently undergoing judicial
proceedings.

in the technical

Comprehensive and perfect protection against eavesdropping appears to be technically impossible for

2.
any administration of the size and transparency of the Commission.

However, efforts to ensure an acceptable degree of protection are sustained, and the Commission’s
approach to safeguarding the confidentiality of sensitive information. includes:

(a) making Commission staff aware of the risks from eavesdropping and unauthorised access to sensitive

documents;

(b)

identifying the information which requires protection and classifying it accordingly; and

(c) preventing the communication of such information in insecure environments and through insecure

communication channels.

3.
The Commission has equipment to detect listening devices and part of this equipment was made
available to the Security service of the Council to assist them in undertaking the investigation mentioned in
reply to question 1.

C 268 E/196

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

The handling of classified information within the Commission is governed by Commission Decision
C(2001) 3031 (1). These rules are the same as those in Member States,
the North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation (NATO), and the Council. According to this Decision, the protection of classified information
requires a wide range of security measures, including the construction of security areas in which classified
information may be dealt with. Technical
inspections to detect listening devices form part of these
measures. In conformity with customary security practise, depending on the actual threat, and the level of
confidentiality, (cid:1) and in accordance with Decision C(2001) 3031, (cid:1) technical inspections are carried out
if considered to be necessary in a given situation.

The policy of international organisations such as the Commission, the Council or NATO for sweeping
rooms is to investigate those premises where information classified ‘EU SECRET’ and higher is regularly
processed.

By the Commission Decision in question, the Commission Security Directorate has been given the
responsibility for carrying out such measures, and has the necessary equipment for doing so.

(1) OJ L 317, 3.12.2001.

(2003/C 268 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1401/03

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 April 2003)

Subject: Vaccination of pet poultry

As an indirect result of the outbreak of avian influenza in the Netherlands, there has also been a preventive
culling of poultry kept by hobby farmers in certain regions. The poultry involved are chickens, turkeys,
guinea fowl, ducks, geese, swans, quails, pheasants, peacocks, partridges and walking birds (ostriches, emu
and nandos) and doves that are not kept for consumption.

At present the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Fisheries says that the vaccination of
livestock susceptible to avian influenza is not an alternative method of combating the disease. Italian
sources claim, however, that a home-made Italian mixture of a vaccine against avian influenza, which is
endemic in Italy, is in fact effective. Intervet, a division of Akzo Nobel, the market leader in veterinary
vaccines, claims to have developed a marker vaccine which could help the Netherlands government and
poultry farmers tackle this outbreak effectively
(see the Intervet website http://www.intervet.com/contentframe.asp?content=http://www.intervet.com/news/
prod_news/default.asp)

‘Vaccination against avian influenza is possible and is in fact practiced in a number of countries. Intervet is
already using a number of avian influenza vaccines in other parts of the world. In Europe, vaccine-free
control is the preferred method to begin with, in order to avoid further trade bans. Member states of the
European Union require the European Commission’s approval for vaccination. During an outbreak, ring
vaccination or regional vaccination can be used to prevent the virus from spreading or in cases where
there is insufficient destruction capacity. During the recent outbreak in Italy, for example, the authorities
requested permission for vaccination within a certain area.’

Can the Commission say whether a Member State can authorise the vaccination of pet poultry against
avian influenza?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 2003)

Council Directive 92/40/EEC of 19 May 1992 introducing Community measures for the control of avian
influenza (1) stipulates in Article 16 that vaccination against avian influenza may only be used to
supplement the control measures carried out when the disease appears and under certain provisions.