WRITTEN QUESTION No. 517/99 by Jens-Peter BONDE Veterinary inspections
C 348/92 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 12. 1999 (1999/C 348/114) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0517/99 by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Commission (8 March 1999) Subject: Veterinary inspections Will the Commission allow Member States to introduce veterinary inspections at their borders in order to prevent the spread of swine fever and other diseases? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1999) The free movement of goods, including animals and animal products, is one of the fundamental objectives of the Community. Since the free internal market has been established the frontiers between Member States no longer represent the place where veterinary controls on animals and animal products are carried out. In accordance with Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990, concerning veterinary and zoo-technical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (1), the controls necessary to verify if the animals and animal products satisfy the requirements of Community legislation in the veterinary field must be primarily carried out at the place of dispatch, under the responsibility of the Member State of dispatch. However, the Member State of destination may establish non-discriminatory veterinary spot checks at the place of destination. Under certain circumstances veterinary checks can also be carried out during transport or in other places such as markets or assembly centres. In order to protect the Community from the risk of introducing animal diseases such as classical swine fever, when animals and animal products enter from a third country, veterinary controls must be carried out at the border inspection posts in each Member State, under the responsibility of the Member State itself. The Commission has no intention to propose any change of Community legislation that may be in contrast with the principles governing the current system of veterinary controls in the Community. (1) OJ L 224, 18. 8. 1990. (1999/C 348/115) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0518/99 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission (8 March 1999) Subject: Assistance for hydroelectric power stations from the PHARE and TACIS programmes Rumour has it that no assistance is being provided for the modernization and improvement in the efficiency of hydroelectric power stations or for the promotion of decentralized alternative energies in the CEEC. Can the Commission say: 1. Is it true that no financial assistance is being provided from the PHARE and TACIS programmes for the modernization and improvement in the efficiency of hydroelectric power stations or for the promotion of decentralized alternative energies in the CEEC? 2. On the basis of what criteria are energy projects assisted under the PHARE and TACIS programmes? 3. For what types of energy (hydroelectric, coal, gas, nuclear) is financial assistance provided? 4. What distribution key is used for the various types of energy?