WRITTEN QUESTION E-0919/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Greyhounds in Spain and Ireland.
C 26 E/116 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 26. 1. 2001 (2001/C 26 E/144) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0919/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (25 March 2000) Subject: Greyhounds in Spain and Ireland Greyhounds raised for racing in Ireland are frequently killed or exported to Spain once they have come to the end of their racing career. Once in Spain these animals are often poorly treated and the Spanish authorities do not intervene to ensure standards are maintained. In the past, Ireland has received EU subsidies to assist greyhound breeders. Will the Commission provide assurance that this is no longer the case? Will the Commission also indicate what measures it is taking, or intends to take, to bring about an end to the mistreatment of greyhounds in Ireland and Spain, particularly with regards to old and/or sick dogs? Joint answer to Written Questions E-0826/00 and E-0919/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 April 2000) The Commission is very concerned about the welfare of animals and gives it a high priority. Community rules exist in respect of animals, including dogs, for their protection during transport and in relation to their use for research purposes. Under the protocol on the protection and welfare of animals annexed to the EC Treaty, the Community and Member States shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and implementing the Communityís agriculture, transport, internal market and research policies, while respect- ing the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage. On the other hand, the conditions under which dogs like greyhounds are kept and raced within Member States are not regulated by Community law and in consequence this aspect is a matter within the sole jurisdiction of the Member States concerned. As it is the duty of the individual Member States to find a solution to this problem, the Commission can only call upon responsible authorities to eliminate the ill- treatment to which the Honourable Member refers. The Commission can confirm that no Community aid is now available for investment in greyhound rearing or racing. It is possible that Community aid is awarded for other purposes to companies, people or organisations, who rear greyhounds or are involved in greyhound racing in the Community. In such cases it is not a condition of Community funding that beneficiaries are not involved in greyhound rearing or racing and the Commission has no information on such beneficiaries. (2001/C 26 E/145) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0832/00 by Maurizio Turco (TDI) to the Commission (10 March 2000) Subject: Clarification further to the answer to Oral Question H-0125/00 on internal competitions COM/ TA/99, COM/TB/99, and COM/TC/99 According to the answer to Oral Question H-0125/00 (1): ü the Commission Director-General for Personnel and Administration, Mr Reichenbach, and Vice- President Neil Kinnock decided in agreement on 2 December 1999 that the closing date for applications for competitions COM/TA/99, COM/TB/99, and COM/TC/99 should be put back from 30 July 1999 to 22 December 1999