WRITTEN QUESTION E-1834/03 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission. BSE.
Date: 2003-06-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agricultural policy, agricultural statistics, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, cattle, health control, veterinary inspection

C 11 E/232

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 2003)

The government deficit and debt that are relevant for the purpose of the Stability and Growth Pact are
defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 3605/93 of 22 November 1993 on the application of the Protocol
on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the EC Treaty (1), as amended (2), through a cross-reference to
the European System of National and Regional Accounts (3). Additional guidelines for interpreting ESA 95
rules are to be found in the Eurostat’s ‘ESA95 Manual on government deficit and debt’.

ESA 95, which has to be applied strictly for the benefit of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), does not
record off-balance sheet items. This means that the government’s contingent liabilities, which may or may
not become at one point in time government liabilities depending on the fulfilment of some conditions,
are not recorded as government debt before such conditions are fulfilled.

The liabilities of the units that the Honourable Member describes as ‘off-balance vehicles’ are recorded as
government debt in case they are classified as part of the general government sector. This depends on the
economic nature of their activity and degree of autonomy vis-à-vis the government.

As far as Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are concerned, the ‘ESA95
Manual on government deficit and debt’ already provides some guidance on the issue. According to the
currently existing rules, the PPP-related liabilities are recorded in the accounts of the government or of the
contractor depending on which unit is exposed to most of the risks of each specific project. Moreover, to
better clarify the accounting treatment of these complex transactions, Eurostat is currently chairing a task-
force on PPP which will soon lead to the adoption of more detailed accounting rules.

Concerning the sectoral classification of Network Rail, Eurostat analysed carefully the information at its
disposal and agreed with the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) that it should be
classified in the non-financial corporation sector
is outside general
government. This is because Network Rail fulfils the criteria of market producer according to national
accounts methodology.

(as a private producer),

that

The issues mentioned by the Honourable Member referring to Foundation Hospitals and nuclear power
plants have been recently discussed with the office of National Statistics (ONS) during a recent Eurostat
mission to the United Kingdom.

Finally, it is worth to recall that there are regular contacts between the International Accounting Standards
Board (IASB) and Eurostat which lead to the discussions of matter of common interest as far as the
accounting standards are concerned.

(1) OJ L 332, 31.12.1993.
(2) OJ L 58, 3.3.2000.
(3) ESA95.

(2004/C 11 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1834/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 June 2003)

Subject: BSE

Can the Commission advise on European Union statistics for BSE testing of cattle:

(a) aged between 30 and 36 months;

(b) aged between 27 and 30 months since 2000?

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/233

How many were tested in each Member State in categories (a) and (b)?

How many were positive in each Member State in categories (a) and (b)?

What has been the financial cost for individual Member States following the BSE epidemic?

What has been the cost to the European Union?

What plans are there for future policy in this area?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 2003)

During 2001 and 2002 an estimated 1,5 million bovine animals between 31 and 36 months of age, and
2,9 million bovine animals between 25 and 30 months of age were tested in the Union. Of these, four
samples gave positive results. The number of samples tested in each Member State and their results are
indicated in the table below.

in 2001 and 2002 with
The Union has contributed to the monitoring programme carried out
this purpose for 2003. Almost
EUR 209 million. Around EUR 90 million have been foreseen for
EUR 1 000 million was spent on various bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-related purchase
schemes in 2001-2002, such as purchase for destruction (EUR 247 million), special purchase scheme
(EUR 264 million) and over thirty months scheme (EUR 488 million). Finally, some EUR 420 million were
spent on intervention in the beef sector in 2001-2002.

The Commission does not have figures on the financial cost for individual Member States following the
BSE epidemic.

The measures to control BSE and protect consumer health are kept under continuous review in the light of
emerging scientific evidence, development of new control methods and the outcome of inspections. Based
on this information the Commission will make proposals, as appropriate.

Member State

2001

2002

2002

2001

31-36 months

25-30 months

31-36 months

25-30 months

31-36 months

25-30 months

Number of samples

Positive

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

United Kingdom

2 660

2 778

35 503

31 613

4 279

10 089

38 453

34 266

405 652

262 903

371 780

863 819

2 505

821

498

1 361

22 113

23 507

52 789

28 421

76 721

341 142

213 567

431 261

11 974

269 707

45 338

215 027

71 035

53 190

89 224

59 087

1 400

4 398

14 084

2 370

1 960

660

14 653

3 351

46 531

23 306

1 975

2 152

2 550

799

20

3 304

3 320

48 395

> 2 352

1 673

1 862

2 736

(cid:1)

5 927

4 235

3 620

12 962

19 752

Total

634 963

1 099 051

> 812 492

> 1 756 929

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

2

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2