WRITTEN QUESTION No. 786/98 by Johanna BOOGERD-QUAAK to the Commission. Threats to small-scale traditional cattle- markets in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe arising from the implementation of Directive 97/12
22. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 402/33 Joint answer to written questions E-0783/98 and E-1225/98 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (17 June 1998) As indicated in the reply to the Honourable Memberís written question E-3006/97 (1), a letter was sent to the Italian authorities concerning the problem raised by the Honourable Member and a reply from the Italian autorities was also received by the Commission. On the basis of the Italian reply and further to the new information provided by the Honourable Member, the Commission can conclude that the point raised cannot be considered clarified. The Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to ensure the observance of Community law. When, in the opinion of the Commission, a Member State is to be regarded as incorrectly applying Community law, in accordance with Article 169 of the EC Treaty infringement proceedings can be opened against the Member State. On the basis of the information received, the Commission is not in a position to make a specific assessment of the case. However, in general, the presence of concentrations of abandoned hazardous waste, besides being contrary to national and Community law, is to be considered as something having a potentially considerable environ- mental impact. The Commission agrees that it is necessary to prevent the development of such situations, and recognises that, in such cases, an effective intervention should be carried out promptly, in order to avoid bad and, sometimes, irreversible environmental consequences. The information provided by the Honourable Member concerning the public contract procedure is insufficient to allow the Commission to take a view. (1) OJ C 134, 30. 4. 1998. (98/C 402/041) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0786/98 by Johanna Boogerd-Quaak (ELDR) to the Commission (18 March 1998) Subject: Threats to small-scale traditional cattle-markets in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe arising from the implementation of Directive 97/12 It appears that the introduction as of 1 July 1998 of Directive 97/12 (1) on health problems affecting intra- Community trade in bovine animals and swine is proving unintentionally damaging to small-scale traditional cattle markets in some EU Member States. Measures which are entirely justified from a veterinary and health point of view cannot be applied by these markets, so that they are threatened with closure. Other historic markets like those threatened with closure in Schagen and Purmerend (Netherlands) can be found elsewhere in Europe. 1. Is the Commission aware of the threat which the stricter rules under Directive 97/12 may pose to small traditional cattle markets in Europe which do not have the economic resources to comply with the more stringent rules, and may have to close in consequence? 2. What steps does the Commission intend to take to reverse the damaging effects on certain small-scale cattle markets which for historical, cultural or tourism-related reasons fulfil an important role for local communities? 3. Can the Commission say whether existing structural fund targets currently offer ways of encouraging small- scale traditional cattle markets to fulfil European requirements in the veterinary, environmental, public health and animal health areas?