92000E1570

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1570/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Subject: Greyhound racing

According to the Commission, it is possible that Community aid is awarded for other purposes to companies, people or organisations who rear greyhounds or are involved in greyhound racing in the Community (questions E-0826/00 and E-0919/00(1)). The Commission currently has no information on such beneficiaries.

Will the Commission obtain information from the companies, people or organisations to whom Community aid may have been awarded for other purposes, to ascertain whether they rear greyhounds or are involved in greyhound racing in the Community?

If not, why does the Commission refuse to obtain such information in the light of the complaints about the ill-treatment of greyhounds used for racing?

If so, can the Commission forward this information to me as soon as it is available?

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 115.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 June 2000)

The Commission does not intend to obtain information from companies, organisations or people to whom aid may have been awarded for other purposes, to ascertain whether they rear greyhounds or are involved in greyhound racing in the Community. The Commission would have no use for this information, the collection of which would involve some considerable cost. The Honourable Member is reminded that beneficiaries of Community aid may have multiple other interests which are not of interest for the award of Community aid.

Although the Commission shares the view that unnecessary animal suffering should be avoided, the prevention of mis-treatment of dogs in situations such as sporting events, falls under the sole responsibility of the Member States.