WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2421/97 by Joan VALLVÉ to the Commission. Outbreaks of swine fever in the region of Lleida
C 82/72 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 3. 98 On the basis of the declarations of interest submitted to it, the Commission has no reason to doubt the independence of the advice given by any member of the SCF on questions relating in particular to baby food or to any other matter on which the Committee has expressed an opinion. The Commission confirms its commitment to a policy of maximum transparency in the work of its scientific committees but regrets that it is not able to make publicly available declarations of interest which were made to it in confidence under the previous rules of procedure. Following the reorganisation of the Commission’s services responsible for various aspects of consumer health protection, all of the Commission’s scientific committees were transferred to DG XXIV (Consumer policy and consumer health protection) with effect from 1 April 1997. In accordance with the Commission’s communica- tion (2) which placed emphasis on the fundamental requirements for excellence, independence and transparency in the operation of these committees, common rules governing the selection of the members and conduct of the committees, including declarations of interest, have been decided by the Commission in the decision of 23 July 1997 setting up scientific committees in the field of consumer health and food safety. (1) OJ L 167, 18. 7. 1995. (2) COM(97) 183 final. (98/C 82/122) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2421/97 by Joan Vallve· (ELDR) to the Commission (11 July 1997) Subject: Outbreaks of swine fever in the region of Lleida Following the outbreaks of classical swine fever recently detected in the region of Lleida and the subsequent visit by members of the Standing Veterinary Committee, the Commission enacted Decision 97/285/EC (1) laying down the specific conditions for intra-Community trade in pigmeat and live pigs originating exclusively from the areas in question. The various Member States have accordingly adapted their trade in pigs and pigmeat with Spain in line with the Decision, with the exception of Portugal, which has unilaterally closed its borders to all trade in pigmeat and pigmeat products originating not only from the above-mentioned areas but also from Catalonia as a whole, thereby jeopardizing the free movement of goods. What steps has the Commission taken or does it intend to take to ensure compliance with this fundamental principle on which the European Union is based? (1) OJ L 114, 1. 5. 1997, p. 47. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1997) By Commission Decision 97/285/EC (1) certain protective measures were adopted to prevent the spread of classical swine fever virus from an area of Spain consisting of Urgell, Noguera, Segria‘ and Garrigues. The Commission has recently been informed about unilateral measures adopted by Portugal due to the disease situation in Lerida. The Commission will investigate the matter. (1) OJ L 114, 1. 5. 1997