91997E3415

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3415/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (28 October 1997)

Subject: World trade and protection of animals

Article XX provides a series of grounds for trade restrictions, including protection of human and animal life and health and respect for general public morals.

1. How are these provisions to be interpreted? Can they be interpreted such that EU animal protection standards can be maintained or improved without objections?

2. How are the restrictive considerations actually determined? To what extent must restrictions on animal health be accepted and when is a restriction on trade permitted? Who decides what is in line with public morals, etc.?

3. To what extent is protection of the well-being of animals or prevention of psychological suffering, such as fear, taken into account?

4. Is it possible for an interpretation which satisfies animal protection considerations to be implemented at international level, or must the WTO provisions be made more definite?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3414/97, E-3415/97, E-3417/97 and E-3418/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 November 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2569/94 by Mrs Oddy ((OJ C 145, 12.6.1995. )).