WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2649/98 by Undine-Uta BLOCH von BLOTTNITZ to the Commission. Shooting tests using live animals in Spain
C 142/28 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 5. 1999 (1999/C 142/033) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2639/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Structural Funds and Community law (1 September 1998) The fifteenth report on monitoring the implementation of Community law (1997) states that there have been thirteen cases of violations (presumed and established) concerning the implementation of projects receiving Community cofunding in Greece; these include five relating to the environment and eight relating to public contracts. Will the Commission say precisely which projects are affected by the violations that have been established and what remedial measures have been taken so far? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (6 November 1998) Of the five cases relating to the environment, three involve a failure to carry out in time the environmental impact assessment for certain water treatment projects. The two other cases relate to waste treatment projects. They are currently being studied by the Commission. The eight cases involving public contracts concern unusually low tenders and compliance with the principle of equality of treatment. The cases relate to infrastructure works in the fields of transport, health and water treatment in particular. Two of the cases have already been closed. It is for the national authorities to propose and take corrective measures. The Commission is co-operating with the authorities so that such measures might ensure conformity with Community law. (1999/C 142/034) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2649/98 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission Subject: Shooting tests using live animals in Spain (1 September 1998) In the Basque region of Spain munitions tests are being carried out using live animals, in order to investigate the effects of different types of ammunition on the animals’ bodies. In its answer to a question on this matter last year from Mrs González Álvarez, Mr Marset Campos and Mrs Sornosa Martínez (E-0561/97 (1)), the Commission states tersely that it is not aware of such incidents. The Commission goes on to explain that there is no Community legislation on this matter, and that Member States may therefore regulate it as they see fit. In the Protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam concerning the protection and welfare of animals, their protection is raised to the status of a Community task. It is stated therein that ‘full regard’ must be paid to the welfare requirements of animals in connection with agriculture, transport, the internal market and research. The only exceptions permitted in the Member States are those ‘relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage’. Has the Commission taken the question from the above Members as an opportunity to seek 1. information about the situation described therein, and if so, with what results? Does the Commission share the view that shooting practice using live animals has nothing to do with 2. religious rites, cultural traditions or regional heritage? 3. What practical possibilities for the Commission to take action are provided by the above Protocol? 4. What view does the Commission take of the possibility of instituting proceedings against Member States for a breach of provisions of the Treaty on the basis of the above Protocol, and how does it judge such a possibility of bringing proceedings in respect of the actual case of shooting tests? (1) OJ C 367, 4. 12. 1997, p. 28