WRITTEN QUESTION No. 848/99 by Tony CUNNINGHAM Barbarity of the fur trade in China
C 348/138 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 12. 1999 (1999/C 348/189) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0848/99 by Tony Cunningham (PSE) to the Commission (7 April 1999) Subject: Barbarity of the fur trade in China Is the Commission aware of the barbaric treatment of animals in China, in particular of Alsatian dogs, involved in the production of fur for the international market? Can the Commission supply details of any fur trade between the EU and China and provide assurance that it has no connection with the perpetrators of this horrific aspect of the trade? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (3 May 1999) The Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member that animals should not be treated in a cruel manner, notably in order to produce fur for international trade. However, the Commission is not collecting any specific information concerning trade and processing of dog fur in China. It is therefore not possible to confirm whether this business is growing. Given that animal welfare is becoming increasingly relevant in terms of international trade, this issue may in the future be raised in the World trade organisation (WTO) context. The possibility of amending WTO rules to address welfare concerns more generally will be addressed in the context of the determination of the Community’s negotiating objectives for the next stage of the WTO negotiations. (1999/C 348/190) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0849/99 by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission (7 April 1999) Subject: Reductions in old age pensions for those already receiving a pension in another Member State In April 1998 it was reported in the press that proceedings were to be brought against Belgium before the European Court of Justice following complaints about reductions in old age pensions for persons already receiving a pension in another Member State. Will the Commission say what progress has been made in this matter? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (29 April 1999) It seems that the question posed concerns the application by the Belgian National Pensions Office of national anti-overlapping? rules to reduce the amount of the supplement added to a mining worker’s old-age pension when the person was already receiving one or more pensions of the same kind from one or more Member State. In its judgment of 22 October 1998 in case C143/97 ; Conti v ONP, the Court of Justice found for Mr Conti, holding that a national rule such as the one in question constitutes a reduction clause? within the meaning of Article 12(2) of Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 as amended by Regulation (EC) 118/97 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (1). (1) OJ L 28, 30. 1. 1997