WRITTEN QUESTION E-1450/99 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission. Haflinger stud book.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/1 I (Information) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER (2000/C 303 E/001) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1450/99 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Haflinger stud book The Haflinger Breedersí Association of the Tyrol has been endeavouring for a number of years to obtain the original stud book for the Haflinger breed from the EU. The authoritative publication is the first stud book which appeared in 1921 in Zams (North Tyrol). 1. Why has no stud book been published for Haflinger horses? 2. What are the fundamental rules governing the publication of a stud book for horses? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (4 November 1999) Council Directive 90/427/EEC of 26 June 1990 (1) laid down the zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing intra-Community trade in equidae. Commission Decision 92/353/EEC of 11 June 1992 (2) laid down the criteria for the approval or recognition of organisations and associations which maintain or establish stud-books for registered equidae. Minimum requirements for these stud-books are specified in the Annex to this Decision, including the extensive obligations of an organisation or association which establishes or maintains the stud-book of the origin of the breed. Commission Decision 92/354/EEC of 11 June 1992 (3) laid down certain rules to ensure coordination between organisations and associations which maintain or establish stud-books for registered equidae. This Decision stipulates in particular the procedures to be set in motion in order to settle disputes. It provides that, where disputes arise concerning the application of Community law, the Commission may intervene on its own initiative or at the request of one of the competent authorities. The Council has given the Commission only limited jurisdiction with regard to the breeding of horses. The relevant authorities in the Member States are responsible for the recognition of breedersí organisations and associations. These authorities inform the Commission of the organisations and associations they have approved and the Commission makes this information available to all Member States. According to the letter of 4 October 1995 from the Italian breedersí association to the Commission, the three most important breeding areas for the Haflinger breed ü Austria, Italy and Germany ü had agreed on 26 July 1993 in Munich-Riem to grant the Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Cavalli di Razza Aveligneseí the status of holder of the stud-book of origin. C 303 E/2 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 On 16 November 1995 Austria informed the Commission that the Razza Aveligneseí held the stud-book of origin and that Italy was the country of origin of the Haflinger breed of horses for the Haflinger Horse Breeders Association of Tyrol. However, the current register of organisations recognised in Austria, dated 1 July 1999, identifies the Haflinger Horse Breeders Association of Tyrol as holder of the stud-book of origin of the Haflinger breed. The Commission will obtain further information from the Austrian authorities concerning the renewed approval procedure. Other Member States recognise either Italy or more specifically the Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Cavalli di Razza Aveligneseí as holder of the stud-book of origin. Some Member Statesí records list both Austria and Italy as breeding areas of origin. This is certainly because the current stud population stems largely from these breeding areas. Both breedersí organisations concerned have contacted the Commission repeatedly and independently about their own problems, yet the authorities in neither Italy nor Austria have officially requested assistance to resolve the dispute in accordance with Article 2(4) of Decision 92/354/EEC. In the Commissionís view the issue of the stud-book concerning the origin of a breed can be resolved in the context of an official approval procedure by the competent authorities of the Member States in accordance with the rules. (1) OJ L 224, 18. 8. 1990. (2) OJ L 192, 11. 7. 1992. (3) OJ L 192, 11. 7. 1992. (2000/C 303 E/002) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1470/99 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Programme of food aid for the Russian Federation pursuant to Regulation 2802/98 In Regulation 2802/98 (1) the Council decided on 17 December 1998 on a programme of food aid for the Russian Federation worth EUR 400 million. The European Union and the Russian Federation agreed that the food would be sold by the Russian authorities at local market prices and that the sales proceeds were intended for a fund for social measures. 1. What quantities of products have been supplied to the Russian Federation so far? 2. What quantities of products have been sold by the Russian authorities and at what prices? 3. What sums have so far been paid into the fund for social measures? 4. Can the Commission confirm the reports in the Dutch media that large quantities of products supplied under the programme of food aid to the Russian Federation have not been sold at local market prices and that the sales proceeds have not been paid into the find for social measures? If so, what sanctions does the Commission intend to apply? How does the Commission think it can guarantee watertight monitoring of implementation of the 5. food aid programme and administration of the fund? 6. Why has the Commission not yet reported to Parliament on implementation of the programme, as promised by the Commission in the legislative procedure concerning Regulation 2802/98 and in the transfer of appropriations to the 1999 financial year (SEC(1999) 0122)? When does the Commission intend to inform Parliament? (1) OJ L 349, 24. 12. 1998, p. 12