WRITTEN QUESTION E-1093/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 April 2000)

Subject: Antibiotics in hens' eggs

In November and December 1999, 32 different packages of eggs were purchased by the Italian Altroconsumo consumer magazine from a number of supermarkets in Rome and Milan, and their contents examined. The eggs examined were all classified as category A, meaning that they were intended to be eaten fresh and were supposedly of the highest quality. In nine cases, the presence was detected of sulfonamide and quinoline derivative antibiotics, prohibited in eggs.

Pharmaceuticals are administered to the animals during rearing and to prevent disease. Eggs that are laid during that period or immediately thereafter must of course be destroyed. The same also applies if the treatment is suspended. It is absolutely essential for a necessary transition period to be allowed to lapse to enable the substances administered to pass out of the hens' systems, a requirement clearly not complied with in these cases. Consumption of eggs contaminated with antibiotics results in certain bacteria becoming more resistant and in human beings adapting to the substances, whereby the effectiveness of antibiotics when used to treat sickness is undermined.

Will the Commission state if it is familiar with this problem and if it proposes to take action to guarantee consumer protection in this connection, thereby protecting the health of European Union citizens?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 2000)

According to Annex II of Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and products(1), surveillance of antibacterial substances, including sulfonamides and quinolones, must be done in eggs, regardless of whether or not these substances have already been authorised to treat laying hens.

The Commission has not received the Italian national report of results for 1999 on the surveillance programme.

Following the Honourable Member's question, a request has been addressed to the Italian authorities about this incident and, depending on the reply, appropriate measures will be taken.

(1) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.