91997E3973

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3973/97 by Anneli Hulthén (PSE) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Illegal use of hormones in meat production

The media regularly report the illegal use of hormones in meat production in the EU. How does the Commission regard these reports, and, if they are true, do not such occurrences reduce the Community's credibility in its dispute with the USA on hormones?

Answer given by Mr. Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 February 1998)

The uncovering of a certain number of cases of illegal use of growth hormones, duly reported in the media, is the outcome of a serious attempt by the Member States to guarantee European consumers hormone-free meat and proof of that attempt's effectiveness. This cannot harm the Community's credibility as regards the United States.

The implementation by Member States of surveillance measures required under Directive 96/23/EC on measures to monitor substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC ((OJ L 25, 23.5.1996. )), together with severe penalisation of offenders, should in the medium term result in a big drop in the number of cases of illegal use of these banned substances.