91998E0823

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0823/98

by Jan Sonneveld (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: European model health certificate for exports of dry poultry manure

Intra-Community trade in dry, unprocessed poultry manure is in effect obstructed by the absence of certificates describing the veterinary aspects of the manure. The annex to Commission Decision 96/103/EC(1) of 25 January 1996 announces that the Commission will draw up a model health certificate. Two years have elapsed and there is still no draft European model. One Member state, Germany, has taken the initiative in drawing up a health certificate for trade in dry unprocessed poultry manure.

1. Is the Commission aware of the German health certificate for exports of dry poultry manure?

2. Does the German health certificate have any legal validity?

3. Would the Commission appreciate it if other Member States were to draw up their own health certificates?

4. Would the Commission be prepared to adopt the German health certificate as a basis for its own model?

5. How long would it take the Commission to present its own model health certificate for exports of dry poultry manure on the basis of the German health certificate?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1998)

In the light of past experience with trade in manure, the Commission adopted Decision 96/103/EC of 25 January 1996 amending Chapter 14 of Annex I to Council Directive 92/118/EEC laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, to Directive 90/425/EEC;(2) the Decision provides for a health certificate to be introduced, the model for which is to be drawn up by the Commission after it has consulted the Standing Veterinary Committee.

The Commission is not aware of a certificate drawn up by the Member States, but will find out whether one exists and - if so - whether it complies with Community law.

The Commission cannot give a precise time-scale for presenting a draft health certificate for trade in processed poultry manure, owing to current priorities in other areas of veterinary and zootechnical legislation.

(1) OJ L 24, 31.1.1996, p. 28.

(2) OJ L 24, 31.1.1996.