WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3340/98 by Anita POLLACK Bhopal
11. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 289/39 (1999/C 289/051) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3339/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (10 November 1998) Subject: Treatment of zoo animals After years of complaints about animal welfare at Fuengirola Zoo in southern Spain, the establishment was closed about six months ago. However, the animals, which were impounded by the Council, are reportedly in a sad condition. These include a tiger, snow leopards, chimpanzees and a male elephant. Is there any action which can be taken at EU level to alleviate the continued suffering of these animals? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (3 December 1998) There is currently no Community legislation on the disposal of animals on the closure of zoos. The text of a Council common position with a view to adopting a Council directive relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos (1) provides in its article 6 that: ‘In the event of a zoo or part thereof being closed, the competent authority shall ensure that the animals concerned are treated or disposed of under conditions which the Member States deem appropriate and consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Directive’. For the case cited by the Honourable Member there is therefore no action that could be taken at Community level. The Commission is, however, prepared to draw the attention of the Spanish authorities to this case on the basis of additional information about the circumstances. (1) COM(95) 619; 95/333/SYN. (1999/C 289/052) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3340/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (10 November 1998) Subject: Bhopal Fourteen years after the Bhopal tragedy in India, 10-15 people are still dying every month, medical care has been cut and Union Carbide has still not paid adequate compensation. Is the Commission aware of the continuing problems, which include shortage of medicines, lack of clean drinking water and sanitary facilities, toxic chemicals in the community wells, and the closure of Women’s training facilities, and does it have any support projects which might help the people in this area? Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1998) The Commission has long been aware of the Bhopal disaster and of the tragic consequences it has had for the people of the region. It is being kept informed of the situation both through the local and international press and through its Delegation in India. The Commission has not, however, been approached either by the Indian authorities or by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with proposals for a project specifically aimed at the Bhopal area. NGOs working in the Bhopal area may submit project proposals for co-financing by the Commission under the decentralised NGO support facility (budget line B7-6000). Such proposals will be considered like all others within the parameters of this facility. According to the information available to the Commission, the distribution of agreed compensation to the victims of the Bhopal disaster proved extremely complex and lengthy. In cannot be excluded that any future aid may be affected similarly