WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2554/97 by Simon MURPHY to the Commission. Laying hens
11. 3. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 76/125 Pursuant to Article 126 of the EC Treaty, however, the organisation of education systems and the content of teaching are the responsibility of the Member States alone. (1) OJ L 199, 6. 8. 1977. (98/C 76/238) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2554/97 by Simon Murphy (PSE) to the Commission (15 July 1997) Subject: Laying hens We understand that Directorate-General VI will soon publish the long awaited proposal to amend Directive 88/166/EEC (1) on standards for hens in battery cages and also that the proposal will include standards for hens in alternative egg production systems. In these circumstances would the Commissioner explain why Member States are discussing in the Poultry Committee a separate proposal to amend the criteria for egg production systems laid down in Regulation 1274/91 (2) (amended by Regulation 2401/95) (3) so that a decision could be taken which will supersede any amendment to Directive 88/166/EEC, ignore welfare requirements, bypass the opinion of Parliament and simply reflect the demands of the industry? (1) OJ L 74, 19. 3. 1988, p. 83. (2) OJ L 121, 16. 5. 1991, p. 11. (3) OJ L 246, 13. 10. 1995, p. 6. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997) It is true that the Commission has announced its intention to present to the Council after the summer holidays a report on scientific developments regarding the welfare of hens under various systems, possibly accompanied by a proposal for legislation on the welfare of hens. The present discussions with Member States in the framework of the management committee for poultrymeat and eggs concern the labelling rules for eggs produced under different systems and basic criteria which must be respected in each system (free range › barn › perchery › battery cages). These discussions in no way prejudge the position of the Commission regarding the report envisaged for the autumn. It is clear that the detailed labelling rules for eggs which are laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 1274/91 will have to take account of any future amendment of Directive 88/166/EEC regarding the various types of production. (98/C 76/239) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2555/97 by Michael Elliott (PSE) to the Commission (15 July 1997) Subject: Transport of live animals When will the Commission propose higher specifications for vehicles transporting live animals, introducing, for example, the requirement for these vehicles to have onboard watering facilities? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997) In June 1997, the Commission presented to the Council a proposal concerning additional standards for road vehicles used for the carriage of livestock on journeys exceeding a duration of eight hours of travelling (1)