WRITTEN QUESTION E-1194/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Illegal slaughter of sheep in France.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/141 Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (18 May 2000) The Commission considers that Council Directives 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment and 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 which has modified Directive 85/337/EEC are not at present relevant to the case. An industrial plant authorised 25 years ago does not impact assessment (EIA) are of application with reference to projects where the requests for development consent were introduced after the date for Member States to transpose them. Directive 85/337/EEC does not apply to projects for which the requests for development consent were submitted to the competent authority before 3 July 1988; Directive 97/11/EC does not apply to projects for which the requests for development consent were submitted to the competent authority before 14 March 1999. fall within their scope of application. Directives on environmental However, should a new authorisation be granted in the future, it would fall within the scope of application of Community EIA legislation. On the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, the Commission considers that the installation mentioned is not covered by Council Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants. In contrast, it may be covered by Council Directives 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996, concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC Directive) and 1999/13/ EC of 11 March 1999 on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations (1) (VOC Directive). However, under both these directives, Member States have until 2007 to apply provisions and emission limits to existing installations. (1) OJ L 85, 29. 3. 1999. (2001/C 46 E/162) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1194/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (12 April 2000) Subject: Illegal slaughter of sheep in France Following the submission of video evidence to the Commission by the RSPCA which proves that the slaughter of sheep during the Eid el Kebir festival in France (16-19 March) was not carried out according to the provisions of Directive 93/119/EC (1) on the protection of animals for slaughter, how does the Commission intend to ensure full enforcement of this Directive by the French Government in future years? (1) OJ L 340, 31. 12. 1993, p. 21. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (29 May 2000) The Commission is currently analysing the information just received from animal protection organisations on the recent Eid-el-Kabir. The information available will be evaluated in the light of the reassurances that the Commission received prior to the festival from the French authorities that they were taking a wide range of measures to improve the situation, including close contact with the Muslim community. C 46 E/142 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 The Commission fully understands that the issues involved are sensitive and that they currently, in certain localities in France, involve serious problems for the French authorities. It must, on the other hand, be observed that failure to respect the fundamental provisions of Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing and relevant Community sanitary rules involves serious breaches of Community law and risk to public health. The Commission is currently awaiting a formal report from the French authorities on the recent Eid-el- Kabir. In the light of this report the Commission will consider if further initiatives are necessary including the possible opening of the Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty infringement proceedings. (2001/C 46 E/163) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1195/00 by William Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Council (13 April 2000) Subject: Religious persecution in India Attacks are being reported in several states of India on Christian communities in the shape of murder, gang-rapes, beatings, threats, and destruction and desecration of churches. Meanwhile legislative initiatives have been undertaken in a number of Indian states which seek to restrict religious freedom. In Orissa state, for example, the state government passed an order at the end of 1999 prohibiting conversion without the prior permission of the local police and the district magistrate. In Gujurat state, a freedom of religion bill was introduced last year which established stiff penalties for the crime of converting individuals from one religion to another. Although the bill was shelved this February, it is thought likely that attempts might be made to revive it at a later date. Christians there believe that the bill is open to subjective interpretation and may be used to halt their humanitarian efforts amongst the poor as well as curtailing any public expression of their faith. In the light of these events, does the Council intend to address the question of religious tolerance and freedom at the upcoming EU-India summit? Reply (10 July 2000) The Council is aware of the problems mentioned in the honourable MEPís question. In the framework of the regular political dialogue between the European Union and India, the Council has already, on several occasions, raised the issue of tolerance, religious freedom and the rights of minorities in India. Similarly, the EU Heads of Mission in New Delhi have raised individual problems directly with the Indian authorities. Whenever necessary, the Council will continue to voice its concerns over Human Rights problems, including at the forthcoming EU-India Summit. The Union pursues also at a multilateral level its efforts aimed to counter intolerance and violence based on religion or belief. In this context, Member States recently cosponsored the resolution Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Beliefí, introduced by Ireland and adopted by consensus at the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (20 March-28 April 2000)