WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2612/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Organic farming practices
C 117/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 98 In a different but related exercise, the Commission will ask all Member States for details of the penalty systems which they currently operate and is examining whether enforcement activity in some Member States is biased against non-nationals. This examination will take into account the ruling by the Court of Justice (Case C-29/95, E. Pastoors). Should the outcome of the exercise provide grounds for concern, the Commission will open discussions with the relevant Member States to address the problem. The Commission has no evidence of particular arrangements within Belgium or France between the gendarmerie and tow-away firms which might give rise to any possible conflicts of interest. An investigation into a specific allegation was carried out and the Belgian authorities subsequently assured the Commission that no irregular arrangements exist between the gendarmerie and the tow-away firm and that instructions had been issued to ensure regular checks are carried out on enforcement practice. (98/C 117/39) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2612/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Organic farming practices The organic livestock regulation proposes to prohibit the use of more than two courses of allopathic treatment per animal in a year or lifetime. What is the scientific basis for the Commissionís recommendations? Does this effectively prevent farmers from using wormers for ewes at lambing? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 October 1997) The Commission proposal (1) for a Council regulation supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs (2) to include livestock production, includes a provision that would prohibit the sale of organic products from animals that have received more than two courses of treatment of allopathic medicines other than for parasites. Thus treatments for parasites (e. g. wormers for ewes) would not be covered by this provision and in consequence would be permissible. In organic farming, the health of animals is centered on three basic principles: choice of breeds resistant to disease, use of organic feedingstuffs and extensive housing conditions. There is evidence that disease problems are less severe if these principles are applied and recourse to allopathic treatments only necessary in exceptional cases. Scientific evidence is taken into account in organic farming but it is not the primary consideration in developing rules. Organic farming constitutes a specific form of production, benefiting from special labelling and guaranteeing a particular quality of product to meet consumersí expectations of such products The restrictions with regard to organic husbandry in general, and in particular those with regard to the use of allopathic medicinal products, have been established after careful examination of existing organic farming practices in the Member States and the expectations of consumers with regard to these practices. In this context, the use of allopathic medicinal products has to be limited to a strict minimum. The Parliament delivered in its session of May 1997 its opinion on the Commission proposal after a detailed examination of proposed production standards and confirmed the basic principle of limited treatments. (1) COM(96) 366. (2) OJ L 198, 22. 7. 1991