WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1509/97 by Joaquim MIRANDA to the Commission. Euro campaign lecturers
C 45/44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 2. 98 (98/C 45/53) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1507/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (30 April 1997) Subject: Pig protection standards › Directive 91/630/EEC Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs (1) has been implemented in Italy by means of Legislative Decree No 534, issued on 30 December 1992. Article 6(2) of the latter stipulates that, every two years, not later than the last working day in April, and, for the first time, not later than 30 April 1996, the Ministry of Health must inform the Commission of the results of the inspections carried out in the two preceding years in accordance with the article in question, specifying the number of inspections conducted in relation to the number of holdings on the national territory. Can the Commission say what were the findings of the inspections carried out in Italy, according to the information forwarded by the Ministry of Health? What were the findings of the inspections, if any, conducted by Commission experts on Italian territory or in connection with pig imports for Italian farmers? (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991, p. 33. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1997) Italy has not yet informed the Commission of the result of inspections carried out under Article 7 of Council Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs as required by paragraph 3 of that Article. The Commission has reminded Italy of its obligations in this connection and will, if these obligations are not met within the near future, open infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty. Commission veterinary experts have not as yet carried out the checks provided in Article 9 of the above mentioned Directive. Directive 91/630/EEC does not contain any particular provisions for imported pigs. The welfare of these animals during transport does however fall within the scope of Directive 91/628/EEC (1). The Commission has carried out an inspection mission in 1995 on Italian territory to check the enforcement of Directive 91/628/EEC and certain recommendations have been communicated to the Italian authorities. Most of the journey times for pigs from exporting countries would not exceed 24 hours. However, it appeared at that time, that for pigs in a number of cases of transports from the Netherlands and Belgium to the south of Italy or to Greece via Italy with a time of over 24 hours feeding and watering was not sufficiently secured. The Commission is continuing to monitor the situation in the light of the amendments introduced in the directive in relation to journey times and feeding, watering and resting requirements. (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991. (98/C 45/54) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1509/97 by Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 April 1997) Subject: Euro campaign lecturers According to reports already confirmed, the Commission has set up and is coordinating a team of lecturers for the campaign on the single currency. The reports also state that the team will consist of some 180 specialists who have agreed to sign a declaration in which they promise to refrain from advocating any idea contrary to those put forward by the Commission