WRITTEN QUESTION No. 921/98 by Dietrich ELCHLEPP to the Commission. Observance of EU hygiene regulations at slaughterhouses in Germany and France
19. 11. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 354/39 Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998) The Commission is fully aware of the problem, which has been the subject of major discussions and decisions within the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The Commission has been representing the Community in ICCAT since it became a member of the organisation in November 1997 and has taken an active part in the discussions. The Council has adopted Regulation (EC) No 65/98 of 19 December 1997 (1) setting catch limitations for swordfish in the North Atlantic, in accordance with the recommendations of ICCAT. Steps are being taken also to incorporate into Community law the total allowable catch (TAC) for swordfish in the South Atlantic, as recommended also by ICCAT. Regarding the adoption of retaliatory trade measures against countries which grant flags of convenience, the Commission is aware that the action plan on swordfish adopted by ICCAT makes provision for measures of this type. At the appropriate time, and on the basis of the information that will be presented at the next annual meeting (16 to 23 November 1998), the Commission will be in a position to discuss this matter. In any event, it should be pointed out that ICCAT has already recommended trade measures for certain non-member countries regarding fishing for bluefin tuna. Proposals for measures concerning Honduras and Belize have been adopted already by the Commission (2) and forwarded to the Council for adoption. (1) OJ L 12, 19. 1. 1998. (2) COM(98) 48 final. (98/C 354/73) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0921/98 by Dietrich Elchlepp (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1998) Subject: Observance of EU hygiene regulations at slaughterhouses in Germany and France Farmers and and the meat industry in Germany fear that competition is being distorted by differing levels of application, implementation and monitoring of EU hygiene regulations in slaughterhouses in the German-French border area of the southern Upper Rhine. What information does the Commission have on this matter? In practice, are the EU hygiene regulations implemented equally in both countries and monitored by the national authorities? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (19 May 1998) The Commission is not aware of significant differences in the manner in which Community meat hygiene legislation is applied in the area to which the Honourable Member refers. Member States are responsible for ensuring that Community legislation is properly applied in their own territories. The Commission, through the Food and veterinary office, which forms part of Directorate General XXIV for Consumer policy and consumer health protection, monitors the manner in which Member States undertake this responsibility. For this purpose, the Food and veterinary office carries out control and inspection missions to all Member States and a large number of third countries. The concerns expressed by the Honourable Member have been noted and will be borne in mind in the planning of future control and inspection activities by the Commission