91999E0795

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0795/99

by Reimer Böge (PPE) to the Commission

(22 March 1999)

Subject: Transport of animals for slaughter

In the 1999 budget of the European Union - Chapter B2-511 - there is a reference in the commentary to the expenditure of EUR 2 500 000 on the monitoring of animal protection provisions during the transport of animals for slaughter inside and outside the EU. This same entry appeared in the budgets for 1997 and 1998. Can the Commission explain why none of this money has yet been spent on this important matter even though there has been ample time to prepare suitable proposals?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The Commission created within the Directorate general for consumer policy and consumer health protection (DG XXIV) the Food and veterinary office with the task of carrying out controls in the Member States and in third countries, including controls on the application of the European legislation on animal welfare that are laid down in Council Directive 91/628/EC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC(1).

The Commission is examining solutions and administrative means to make available the amount in the budget line B2-511 to the Food and veterinary office to reinforce controls on the transport of slaughter animals inside and outside the Community.

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.