WRITTEN QUESTION E-1991/99 by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission. Transport of horses.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/107 In principle, investments in sheep farming may also be funded under Regulation (EC) No 950/97 of 20 May 1997 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures (1), provided the conditions for investment aid are complied with. Similarly, other structural aid may be granted as part of regional programmes under Objectives 1 and 5(b). Such investment aid will continue to be granted under the new Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain regulations (2). There is no specific subsidy scheme for wool. Since wool is not an agricultural product as defined in Annex I (ex Annex II) of the EC Treaty, no EAGGF aid can be granted to wool producers. Council Directive 93/119/EC of 21 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing (3) lays down the minimum common standards in this area. The Directive permits kosher slaughter of sheep and goats in a slaughterhouse, since Article 5(2) provides for a derogation from the requirement that animals be stunned. In the light of the information provided by the Honourable Member, the Commission will consider whether a restriction on religious slaughter in the territory of a Member State is, in these circumstances, compatible with the general rules of the EC Treaty. The Commission accepts that differences in national legislation regarding the acceptability of ritual slaughter of animals may give rise to distortions of competition. However, it should be assessed in a much wider context taking account of all the complex factors involved. At present, the Commission is not satisfied that Community legislation in this field would be appropriate. (1) OJ L 142, 2. 6. 1997. (2) OJ L 160, 26. 6. 1999. (3) OJ L 340, 31. 12. 1993. (2000/C 203 E/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1991/99 by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: Transport of horses On 11 October 1999, the German TV channel, ZDF, broadcast a programme produced by Manfred Karremann about the transport of live horses from the Baltic States to Italy. Horses are transported in lorries and spend 100 hours travelling in conditions that fly in the face of all animal welfare principles. Is the Commission aware of such transport operations, and can it intervene to put a stop to what is an infringement of EU rules on the transport of animals? (2000/C 203 E/136) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2144/99 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (18 November 1999) Subject: Inadequate checks on the transport of horses for slaughter Numerous shocking TV documentaries have been broadcast recently about the suffering experienced by horses for slaughter when being transported from eastern Europe to Italy. Their suffering could at least be reduced if appropriate checks were made at border crossings in Germany and Italy. In most cases, the lorries carrying the animals have already been travelling for more than 24 hours. Moreover, existing directives on the transport of animals are not being complied with in some Member States