WRITTEN QUESTION E-2643/99 by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission. Rules and regulations for inspection of abattoirs in the United Kingdom.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/33 Specific regulations are applicable for members of Parliament and their staff. Since the Commission is not responsible for answering this part of the question, the Honourable Member is referred to the General secretariat of the Parliament for further information. (1) OJ L 183, 29. 6. 1989. (2) 89/654/EEC, 89/655/EEC and 89/656/EEC (OJ L 393, 30. 12. 1989); 90/269/EEC and 90/270/EEC (OJ L 156, 21. 6. 1990); 92/57/EEC and 92/58/EEC (OJ L 245, 26. 8. 1992). (2000/C 330 E/035) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2643/99 by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Rules and regulations for inspection of abattoirs in the United Kingdom Is the Commission satisfied with the UK Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulation 1995 which purports to put into effect Directive 93/119/EC (1) on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing? How many complaints has the Commission received from British farmers about the implementation of this Directive? In the Commissionís view, why does the slaughter of a lamb cost approximately EUR 17 in the UK and less that EUR 5 in France? (1) OJ L 340, 31. 12. 1993, p. 21. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (29 February 2000) Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter and killing was transposed into United Kingdom law and the Commission is not aware of any current problems with regard to the implementation and enforcement of the relevant national legislation in that Member State. The Commission has not received any complaints from United Kingdom farmers or their organisations with regard to this Directive. The Commission is, however, aware of the report of a working group on regulation in the meat sector which was recently presented to the British authorities. The costs of slaughter include both the normal commercial costs of abattoirs and the fees imposed for official veterinary control. These costs are not identical in the Member States (1). Commercial costs, in particular, may vary even within Member States according to such factors as the ownership of the abattoir (private, municipal or co-operative), local labour costs, taxation and various other factors. The Commission is unable, therefore, to comment on the particular figures which have been quoted. If more detailed information about the alleged difference in costs and the basis on which they have been calculated were to be supplied by the Honourable Member, the Commission would be prepared to consider the matter further. (1) Council Directive 85/73/EEC of 29 January 1985 as amended and consolidated by Council Directive 96/43/EC (OJ L 162, 1. 7. 1996) makes provisions for the harmonisation of rules on the financing of veterinary inspections and controls. However article 5(3) there of enables Member States to charge fees exceeding the costs of Community fees providing that the total fees charged do not exceed the costs of inspection