WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3227/98 by David MARTIN to the Commission. Use of baboons in xenotransplantation research in the UK
21. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 142/107 (1999/C 142/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3216/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (26 October 1998) Subject: Proceedings against Greece for failure to implement Directive 96/42/EC The Fifteenth Annual Report monitoring the application of Community law in 1997 indicates that proceedings have been initiated against Greece in relation to Directive 96/42/EC concerning taxation of floricultural products. Will the Commission say: 1. what exactly the infringement by Greece consists of, and 2. what the substance of the Commission’s arguments is? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (11 December 1998) According to Article 2 of Council Directive 96/42/EC of 25 June 1996 amending Directive 77/388/EEC on the common system of value added tax, (1) Member States are obliged to communicate to the Commission the provisions of domestic law that they adopt in connection with reduced VAT rates on floricultural products and wood used as firewood. Greece was already applying the reduced rate to cut flowers and other floricultural products, as well as to wood used as firewood, prior to the adoption of the Directive. Nevertheless, under its provisions, Greece is obliged to comply with the requirement to communicate the measure to the Commission, even if there is no need for it to adopt any new measures. In spite of this, Greece has failed to communicate to the Commission the measures which transpose Directive 96/42/EC. (1) OJ L 170, 9. 7. 1996. (1999/C 142/132) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3227/98 by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission (19 October 1998) Subject: Use of baboons in xenotransplantation research in the UK Is the Commission aware that wild baboons have been used in xenotransplantation (animal-to-human transplantation) research in the United Kingdom? Does the Commission consider that this is compatible with the provisions of Article 7(3), second indent, of Directive 86/609/EEC (1)? (1) OJ L 358, 18. 12. 1986, p. 1. Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (24 November 1998) The Commission is aware that wild caught baboons have been used for xenotransplantation research in the United Kingdom. The use of animals for experimentation in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Animal Act of 1986 in accordance with Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (1), and it is the responsibility of the national authorities − and not that of the Commission − that the provisions of the Animal Act are respected