92000E3886

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3886/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE), Minerva Malliori (PSE) and Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease)

The spread of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease) has put the issue of the quality and composition of cattle feedingstuffs in the European Union back on the top of the agenda. The gradual shift in the ingredients of animal feedingstuffs away from plants to animal products has resulted in the present situation in which the health of the peoples of Europe is at risk. Despite the major vested interests of the animal feedingstuff industry, it is still possible to change the composition of the feed of cattle bred in the European Union.

Will the Commission consider subsidising the cultivation of plant varieties to gradually replace the animal feedingstuffs produced today which are responsible for these problems?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3886/00 and P-4076/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2001)

In line with the commitment it made on the occasion of the Agriculture Council of 4 December 2000 on bovine spongiform encephalopathy and at the express request of the Nice European Council, the Commission is investigating in depth the supply and demand situation for oil and protein plants. It will examine the suggestions of all interested parties.

The Commission will notify its conclusions to Parliament and the Council as soon as they are ready. As requested by the Council and the European Council all figures put forward will be in line with the Berlin agreements and the Community's international commitments.