WRITTEN QUESTION E-2257/99 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission. Transport of donkeys.
C 280 E/20 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 Finally, concerning the use of a Commission car, according to the ápractical arrangements for implement- ing the Commission decision of 29 July 1996 on the operation of the Commissionís car fleetí áthe Members of the Commission are provided with an official car and driver (two in the Presidentís case). An official car is available at all times but the drivers must not be asked to provide services for private purposes (where this creates overtime or involves the drivers in mission expenses). Members of the Commission may drive their official car themselves, particularly on non-working daysí. (1) OJ L 347, 23. 12. 1998. (2) In 1999, the minimum marginal rate of 8 % is applicable to the part of the monthly taxable income ranging between € 82,94 and € 1 463,98. The maximum marginal rate of 45 % is applicable to the part of the monthly taxable income over € 5 238,80. (3) OJ L 56, 4. 3. 1968. (2000/C 280 E/018) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2257/99 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Transport of donkeys Would the Commission indicate the steps that they are taking to guarantee the humane transport of donkeys and other equine creatures both within the EU and between the Member Sates and third countries? Evidence passed on to me by my constituents suggests that the conditions of transport continue to be unacceptable, with animals dying and suffering in cramped and inappropriate transport vehicles. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (10 January 2000) The Commission shares the view that unnecessary suffering of animals should be avoided. For this reason European legislation is under continuous revision taking into account the latest available scientific evidence on animal welfare. Council Directive 91/628/EEC, amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 on the protection of animals during transport (1), laid down the requirements concerning transport duration, resting periods and feeding and watering of animals during transport. The Member States are responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the rules on the protection of legislation implementing the directives. Appropriate animal welfare in accordance with their national controls and inspections to ensure correct respect of the rules should also be carried out by the authorities of the Member States. The Commissionís food and veterinary office (FVO) undertakes specific control and inspection missions to check that the Member States apply the Community legislation in an effective and uniform manner. As for the future activities of the Commission in this field, a working group of the standing veterinary committee has recently been established to consider particular problems of the enforcement of the Directive in respect of long-distance transport operations. The Commission may consider amending current Community legislation on the basis of the conclusions of this working group. The Commission is aware, following reports of the veterinary inspectorate of the food and veterinary office and from the complaints of various organisations, that enforcement of the Directive is inadequate in several Member States. Infringement proceedings are in the course of preparation. (1) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995