WRITTEN QUESTION E-3466/03 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Animal welfare at abattoirs in Greece.
Date: 2003-11-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Food and Veterinary Office, Greece, animal welfare, application of EU law, meat processing industry, slaughter of animals, veterinary inspection, veterinary legislation, vocational training

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/557

In its Regular Report 2002, the Commission concluded that the Czech government had undertaken
significant steps to address the issue of human trafficking. Over the past years, the Czech government has
undertaken several steps to improve the legal framework in this respect. An amendment to the Criminal
Code in 2002 extends the scope of the definition of ‘trafficking’ to also cover children and an amendment
of the Criminal Proceedings Code has accelerated and simplified the proceedings involving child victims.
In 2000, the Czech government adopted a national plan combating commercial sexual abuse of children
and in 2003 a national plan combating trafficking in human beings for purposes of sexual exploitation.
The implementation of the plans is followed up on a regular basis. The Commission encourages the Czech
authorities to take further action, in particular for ensuring an effective monitoring system, detecting and
prosecuting of perpetrators. It is also important that Czech authorities ensure close co-operation between
relevant police departments, internally as well as with neighboring countries.

Under the PHARE programme, the Commission has provided substantial funding to the Czech authorities
for fighting organised crime and trafficking in human beings. To this effect, approximately EUR 5,5 million
has been made available to the Czech Republic over the last four years. Further support can be provided
after accession under the Transition Facility.

The Commission reiterates that the prevention of and the fight against child trafficking, child prostitution
and sexual exploitation of children needs to be addressed by Member States and Accession and Candidate
Countries in a co-operative manner following a multidisciplinary approach. Such an approach includes
consequent action against criminals sexually abusing children as well as measures preventing children from
being forced into prostitution and sexual abuse. Co-operation between the competent public authorities
and the relevant international, inter-governmental or non-governmental organisations should be intensified
wherever possible in an enlarged Union.

The Framework Decision on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, once
formally adopted by the Council and implemented by Member States, would be another important step in
the fight against these abhorrent phenomena.

(2004/C 78 E/0592)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3466/03

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 November 2003)

Subject: Animal welfare at abattoirs in Greece

A new report by the Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) concludes that Greece has made
efforts to improve compliance with EU requirements on animal welfare at slaughter, but that there has
been insufficient progress with surveillance and enforcement. The FVO points out that the procedures they
saw at slaughterhouses in Greece were not routine. The clear implication is that less attention is given to
animal welfare when the FVO inspectors are not present. Problems witnessed by the FVO include: 2 out of
12 sheep received a pre-stun electrical shock; some animals may not have been effectively stunned; and for
some the interval between stunning and sticking was too long, which creates the risk of animals recovering
consciousness.

What steps does the Commission plan to take to press Greece to strengthen enforcement and sanctions
and to improve the training of slaughtermen?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2004)

in January 2003 were
The problems noted in the FVO’s inspection in Greece (MR 9002/2003)
communicated to the Greek authorities in the regions visited during the inspection,
to the central
authorities in the closing meeting in Athens and formally in the final report sent to the Greek authorities.
In the action plan submitted to the Commission in response to the published report, the Greek authorities

C 78 E/558

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

stated that they would take measures to enforce the relevant animal welfare legislation, and, in particular,
that they would carry out a re-inspection of all slaughterhouses before 2004, to verify compliance with the
relevant legislation on animal welfare at slaughter (Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on
the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing (1)).

A follow-up inspection in Greece was carried out by the FVO from 15-19 September 2003 (MR9211/
2003). Due to a strike of veterinary staff at that time in Greece, it was not possible to assess animal welfare
at slaughter, but the FVO inspection team reviewed the results of inspections conducted by Greek officials
over previous months and other administrative issues arising from the previous FVO inspection in January
2003. Overall the inspection team concluded that there were still important weaknesses in animal welfare
control systems in Greece. A draft report of this inspection was sent to the Greek authorities on
7 November 2003. Comments on the draft report and an action plan to address outstanding deficiencies
are awaited from the Greek authorities.

On 23 October 2003, the acting Director General of Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection
(DG SANCO) met the Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the Union and the Greek Chief
Veterinary Officer, to underline the Commission’s concerns over the implementation and enforcement of
Union food safety and veterinary legislation in Greece. The Commission considers that
the Greek
authorities are not, and have not been for some time, operating their animal welfare control systems in
compliance with the requirements of Union legislation. Commitments given by the Greek authorities to
improve animal welfare following that meeting are being examined and if they are not sufficient to remedy
the situation, by the summer, the Commission will be obliged to initiate infringements proceedings against
Greece.

(1) OJ L 340, 31.12.1993.

(2004/C 78 E/0593)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3472/03

by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 November 2003)

Subject: Conversion of the Landesbank Nordrhein-Westfalen into an investment bank

1.
The government of the German Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen is at present drawing up a new State
Bank Law, which will make it possible for the Landesbank Nordrhein-Westfalen to be converted into a
bank engaged solely in investment activities. Unlike other state banks,
the Landesbank Nordrhein-
Westfalen would then continue to benefit
from the state guarantee system of Gewährträgerhaftung
(statutory guarantee) and Anstaltslast (institutional liability) after 2005.

Is the European Commission aware of these plans? What are its views on them, given that they will mean
the continued provision of the guarantees which the Commission recently decided should be abolished
after 2005? Does the Commission believe that its decision to abolish the guarantees has been undermined?

2.
After the law has been adopted in Nordrhein-Westfalen, how will the European Commission react to
distortions of competition which might arise as a result of the more competitive refinancing options open
to such an investment bank? How will it ensure that all business areas related to competition are kept
separate from the bank’s investment activities?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2004)

1.
The Commission is aware that the Government of the German Land of Northrhine-Westphalia is
preparing a new Landesbank-law, which intends to convert the current Landesbank into a pure public