WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/03 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission. Action to confine marketing of specified products to the Czech Republic.
Date: 2003-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Czechia, accession to the European Union, customs inspection, fresh meat, intra-EU trade, meat product, transitional period (EU), veterinary legislation

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/91

What concrete measures will the Commission be taking in these areas in order not only to improve the
quality of the meat (cid:1) as it states in its communication (cid:1), but also to ensure that transportation of animals
takes place under the best possible conditions for them?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

A legislative proposal on the protection of animals during transport was adopted by the Commission on
16 July 2003. Scientific advice provides a sound basis for the formulation of policy proposals by the
Commission and the recent findings of the Community-funded cattle transport (CATRA) research project
provide valuable information in this regard. Additional inputs concerning this issue include an opinion
from the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare and the outcome of a detailed
stakeholder and public consultation.

The legislative proposal takes these various elements into account in order to improve the protection of
animals during transport. The Commission’s proposal covers inter alia animal
loading and unloading,
handling facilities, vehicle standards and the training of personnel. The Commission believes that a step-by-
step approach represents the best means of securing real improvements in animal welfare over the short to
medium term. Consequently,
the high standards
recommended by scientists are implemented by the creation of proper legislative instruments, facilitating
improved control and enforcement by the national competent authorities.

the Commission proposal aims

to ensure that

(2004/C 78 E/0090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/03

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Action to confine marketing of specified products to the Czech Republic

Appendix A to Annex V to the Accession Act lists establishments in the Czech Republic that are permitted
to delay until 31 December 2006 their compliance, in the area of veterinary legislation, with the structural
requirements of the directives applicable respectively to fresh meat, fresh poultry meat, meat products, egg
products and milk. Products originating from those establishments may, during that period, only be placed
on the domestic market or used for further processing in domestic establishments.

I therefore ask the Commission what action can be taken, short of border checks on products, to ensure
that the above products originating from the Czech establishments concerned have in fact been placed or
processed only on the domestic market?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(8 August 2003)

The provisions of Annex V to the Accession Act provide specific rules guaranteeing that products from
establishments granted a transitional period do not circulate in the internal market. In addition, Annex V
entitles the Commission to adopt detailed implementing rules for the production, marketing (including
special marking) and control of products originating from establishments granted a transitional period.

The Commission has initiated discussions on supplementary control measures to be applied to the
production and marketing of products in transition with existing and new Member States.