WRITTEN QUESTION E-3381/03 by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission. Transportation of horses from Romania to Italy.
Date: 2003-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, Romania, animal welfare, equidae, import (EU), live animal, protection of animals, transport of animals

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/275

(2004/C 78 E/0276)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3381/03

by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Transportation of horses from Romania to Italy

Would the Commission explain why, in the light of its own findings of violations of the law and great
cruelty to the animals involved in the transportation of horses from Romania to Italy, it does not suspend
this trade until certain legal requirements are met?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2003)

The Commission shares the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member regarding the findings of the
Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) missions carried out in Romania in November 2002 and June 2003 (1)
on the operation of controls on the export of live horses to the Union.

In the light of these findings, the Commission took urgent contact with the Romanian authorities to agree
the corrective actions required to remedy the deficiencies identified. On two occasions in 2003, the Deputy
Director- General for Health and Consumer Protection met a representative of the Mission of Romania to
the Union. At each meeting, the question of Romanian horses exported to the Union was raised.

It should be noted that the Commission has presently no legal basis to intervene in the welfare conditions
in which horses are kept and transported in Romania. However, the Commission is committed to take all
possible actions in this regard to remedy the most critical situations reported.

Concerning the veterinary certification of horses exported to the Union, a mission to Romania took place
from 6 to 10 October 2003. The preliminary findings of this mission indicate that progress is under way
as regards the identification of horses infected by Equine Infectious Anaemia and that the Romanian
authorities are continuing to make real efforts to correct the deficiencies identified.

The number of FVO missions to Romania performed in relation to animal health issues indicates the
degree to which the Commission is committed to rapidly improve the current situation.

The Commission will continue to collaborate closely with the Romanian authorities to ensure that any
remaining deficiencies are addressed and that measures are taken to avoid a recurrence of such problems.
The need for further action, such as evoked by the Honourable Member, will be considered in the light of
progress achieved by the Romanian authorities.

(1)

Inspection reports are registered under DG (SANCO)/8675/2002 and DG(SANCO)9226/2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3385/03

by Karin Junker (PSE) to the Commission

(17 November 2003)

Subject: Use of metal detectors in archaeology

The use of metal detectors in the field of archaeology, controversial among experts, is subject to different
rules in the various EU Member States. With the entry of a further 10 countries in May 2004, the
differences will be even greater. In some Member States, it is already an offence to possess some kinds of
metal probes, while in others it is not, leading to differing legal situations in the individual Member States.