91997E1997

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1997/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (10 June 1997)

Subject: Fattening hormones

1. What fattening hormones are permitted in the USA for what animals (cows, oxen, bullocks, young cattle, female and male calves)?

2. How, in what form, how often, in what doses and at what age are these individual hormones administered to these animals?

3. How can farmers obtain these hormones?

4. Who supplies them?

5. What are the duties of veterinary surgeons in connection with hormone fattening?

6. Who monitors the correct use of the fattening hormones permitted in the USA?

7. How is their incorrect use prevented?

8. What measures has the USA taken to prevent the use of illegal fattening hormones?

9. What morphological and physiological effects does treatment with the respective fattening hormones have on the organism of the above-mentioned animals (please give details)? Special reference should be made to the endocrine glands.

10. By means of what scientific documentation can the USA prove that treatment with the individual fattening hormones does not adversely affect any of the numerous constituents of meat?

Answer (16 October 1997)

As the Council stated to the European Parliament on many occasions, the EC Treaty lays down that the Council acts on a proposal from the Commission. Before submitting proposals, the Commission takes advice from the experts whom it deems necessary to consult. The Commission has available to it, inter alia, a number of scientific advisory committees able to provide the very information required by the Honourable Member.

In addition to these customary activities, the Commission convened a scientific conference precisely in the area of fattening hormones which was held in November/December 1995 and which was attended by Members of the European Parliament, among others. That conference was able to provide information on the effect of the various substances administred to animals in order to promote their growth.

The Honourable Member is requested to address herself to the Commission for scientific answers to the questions raised.