WRITTEN QUESTION E-2408/99 by Linda McAvan (PSE) to the Commission. Reviews of the Animal Transport and the Pig Directives.
8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/127 (2000/C 225 E/136) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2408/99 by Linda McAvan (PSE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Reviews of the Animal Transport and the Pig Directives It is my understanding that the European Commission is due to come forward with a review of the Animal Transport Directive as well as a long overdue review of the Pig Directive. Could the Commission give me some indication of the stage it has reached in preparing substantial new proposals in these areas and when we can expect to see them. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (19 January 2000) Community legislation on the protection of animals during transport is drawn up on the basis of the results of scientific research and practical knowledge, both of which indicate that animal transport is feasible if specific animal protection conditions are met. Concerning future activities the Commission will work to consider a proposal on the basis of the specific opinion of the scientific committee on animal health and animal welfare, setting up standards for mechanical ventilation in vehicles transporting livestock. This proposal is foreseen for the beginning of 2000. A working group of the standing veterinary committee has recently been established to consider particular the enforcement of Council Directive 95/29/EC on the protection of animals during problems of transport (1) in respect of long-distance transport operations including the import of horses from third countries. During the next year the Commission may consider putting forward proposals to amend current Community legislation on the basis of the conclusions of this working group. Council Directive 91/630/EC of 19 November 1991 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs (2) provides for a report from the Commission on the keeping of pigs in intensive rearing systems with particular regard to the welfare of sows reared in varying degrees of confinement and in groups. The Commission asked the scientific veterinary committee on animal health and animal welfare to make such a report. The scientific committee adopted the report on 30 September 1997. A copy of the report is available on the Internet at the web site of the Health and consumer protection Directorate general. The draft Commission proposal will include in particular provisions for the keeping of sows in groups and their normal behaviour pattern. The Commission establishing separate areas for the performing of proposal will be submitted to the Council and the Parliament for approval during this year. The Commission will propose to apply these updated provisions as soon as possible on newly built farms. The application of the new requirements in existing systems is a matter of discussion between experts taking into consideration in particular the social-economic implications. (1) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995. (2) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991. (2000/C 225 E/137) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2410/99 by Cristina GutiØrrez Cortines (PPE-DE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: The Interreg II Community Initiative: Spanish-Moroccan cooperation Within the Interreg Community Initiative there is a Spanish-Moroccan cooperation programme which covers four areas, namely socio-economic development measures, cultural heritage and environmental measures, improving cross-border communications and management and monitoring of the programme itself. Will the Commission provide details of each and every subsidy paid out in each of these four areas, stating the respective value of the sums paid out and to whom they were paid?