WRITTEN QUESTION E-3589/01

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Internal market

Checks on imports of fresh fish from third countries at the various FIPs (frontier inspection posts) vary enormously from one EU country to another in terms of requirements regarding microbiological standards.

The result is that European importers systematically choose airports in EU countries with less stringent health requirements as the port of entry, with the goods then being transported by land to their final destination.

This indirectly produces a clear distortion in the internal air cargo market, given that flights are directed to certain airports for reasons other than competitiveness, geographical proximity to relevant installations etc., which paradoxically leads to heavy losses for air cargo centres in countries which are more assiduous in protecting the health of their consumers.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

What steps will be taken to resolve this issue? On what timescale?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2002)

Checks on imports of products of animal origin are harmonised and clearly laid down in Community legislation which specifies the documentary, identity, and physical checks that must be carried out in any border inspection post.

Details of the microbiological testing required for particular high risk products, which are the subject of safeguard Decisions, including fish, are normally specified in the Decision itself. Member States are required to carry out microbiological testing according to national rules for all other products of animal origin not subject to safeguard measures and routinely examined in border inspection posts.

Commission staff conduct regular inspections of all border inspection posts in the Member States to verify that correct Community standards of facilities, staffing and procedures are maintained. Should any serious discrepancies in application of Community legislation be brought to the attention of the Commission, this would be investigated and further action taken.