WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2046/98 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Export of calves from the United Kingdom
C 96/28 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 4. 1999 alternative testing methods had been scientifically validated and the Organisation for economic cooperation and development had not adopted guidelines for any toxicity tests using non-animal methods. Whilst it was not possible to foresee the date by which alternative methods for testing ingredients and combinations of ingredients for risk to human health would become available for all toxic end-points, it was equally important not to delay the timings for scientific reassessment of the situation. Therefore, Commission Directive 97/18/EC of 17 April 1997 (3), postponed the ban on animal testing of cosmetics and their combinations until 30 June 2000. Most importantly, the publication of this Directive in no way prejudiced the objective of reducing the number of test animals and their suffering. In this respect, the Commission committed itself to the promotion of research and validation of alternative methods. The Commission continues to fund a variety of research programmes into the development of alternative methods to animal testing as well as leading validation efforts through the work of the European centre for the validation of alternative methods (ECVAM). A small amount of animal testing continues within the cosmetics sector, to safeguard consumer safety, but such testing must be carried out under the provisions of Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 (4) on the protection of animals used in experimental and other scientific purposes. This Directive aims to reduce testing to a minimum, and to ensure adequate care and that any suffering, where unavoidable, is kept to a minimum. (1) OJ L 151, 23. 6. 1993. (2) OJ L 262, 27. 9. 1976. (3) OJ L 114, 1. 5. 1997. (4) OJ L 358, 18. 12. 1986. (1999/C 96/038) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2046/98 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (7 July 1998) Subject: Export of calves from the United Kingdom In 1995 the French government initiated a formal inquiry into the allegation that a significant number of calves exported from the UK to France had failed to reach the final destination stated on the route plan submitted by virtue of the Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) to the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This inquiry apparently also examined the allegation that after arriving in France, some UK calves were being áconvertedí into Irish animals with the use of forged Irish health certificates and ear-tags. Would the Commission announce the results of the French governmentís inquiry? Moreover, in the light of the possible forthcoming lifting of the ban on the export of beef from Britain, what steps does the Commission propose to take to ensure that live calves exported from the UK do arrive at the final destination given on the route plan drawn up under Council Directive 91/628/EEC and that the location of such calves remains traceable until they are slaughtered? (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991, p. 17. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (30 July 1998) The Commission has not been made aware of the findings of the French authoritiesí inquiry referred to by the Honourable Member. On 21 and 22 June 1996 the Florence European Council approved a Commission proposal on introducing a framework for the eradication of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom and for the restoration of a single market in beef. The plan was to lift the ban gradually, stage by stage, and the Commission does not at present intend to reauthorise trade in live bovine animals from the United Kingdom