92000E0206

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0206/00

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: Live transport of farm animals

What action does the Commission intend to take in response to the November report by the Food and Veterinary Office which:

- highlighted serious shortcomings at Italian border inspection posts regarding the enforcement of EU rules for journey times, resting periods, watering and feeding of animals,

- recommended that the Italian authorities take immediate action to ensure that animals, who may have undergone long journeys from distant places of departure in third countries, are rested for 24 hours, where applicable, and

- recommended that the Italian authorities should respond within 10 working days to the findings of the report, giving details of actions taken and planned to address the problems?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2000)

The Commission is aware from reports by its veterinary inspectorate and the response from the Italian authorities as well as complaints from various animal welfare organizations, of the problems in relation to the insufficient enforcement of Council Directive 91/628/EC on the protection of animals during transport(1) as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC concerning the protection of animals during transport arriving at some Italian border inspection posts (BIPS).

When animals arrive at the frontier of the Community in a condition where they are clearly not fit for further transport, the Member State concerned is obliged to take the necessary action to protect the welfare of the animals involved by giving them proper care and attention with a sufficient resting period.

Five veterinary inspection missions have been carried out at the Italian border inspection posts of Gorizia and Prosecco-Fernetti in the last five years. Following the most recent mission in July 1999, the Italian authorities have responded to the recommendations concerning animal welfare and have given assurances that steps would be taken to ensure the 24 hour availability of veterinary personnel and that specific instructions would be issued to staff to ensure compliance with animal welfare legislation.

A further mission is foreseen to Italian BIPS, including Gorizia and Prosecco for the second half of this year.

The Commission is reviewing the matter and will not hesitate to open infringement proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty should this prove necessary.

The Commission is also considering closer cooperation with Eastern European countries to improve checks at departure and during transport. Most of the third countries concerned are in the process of accession and could be helped by the technical assistance information exchange office (TAIEX). Contacts have recently been made with TAIEX in order to promote animal welfare in these countries and particularly in relation to the transport of live animals.

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.