91997E3925

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3925/97 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (11 December 1997)

Subject: Religious slaughter of sheep in France

In recent years, distressing images of the religious slaughter of sheep in fields in France have been witnessed by television viewers across the Union. Allowing this to occur is clearly contrary to the spirit of the Amsterdam Treaty which contains a protocol on the protection and welfare of animals. Therefore while enforcement of animal welfare laws is a matter for the French authorities, the Commission has an obligation to oversee this enforcement.

1. What monitoring procedures does the Commission have in place to keep track of the uncontrolled slaughter of sheep in France?

2. Is the Commission satisfied with the measures that have been taken in France thus far and with their implementation?

3. By what means is the Commission seeking to ensure rigorous protection of animals against slaughter of this kind in its current negotiations with the French authorities on this issue?

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

Article 14 of Directive 93/119/EC laying down certain requirements for the protection of animals at the time of slaughter and killing ((OJ L 340, 31.12.1993. )) states that Commission experts may make on-the-spot checks in so far as this is necessary to ensure uniform application of the Directive but, as for all animal welfare legislation, the implementation and the day-to-day enforcement is in the hands of the authorities of the Member States.

Ritual slaughter must, according to the above mentioned Directive, take place in an abattoir and must comply with other Community public health, animal health and welfare requirements.

The Commission is not satisfied about the fact that France has permitted, in certain circumstances, the practice of ritual slaughter outside slaughterhouses. Therefore the Commission is preparing a request to the French authorities to confirm that next year this ritual slaughter will be organized completely according to the Community rules concerned.

If this confirmation is not supplied, the Commission will open the infringement procedure provided for under Article 169 of the EC Treaty.