WRITTEN QUESTION E-2730/99 by Gérard Deprez (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Work-related deaths in developing countries.
C 225 E/196 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 (2000/C 225 E/221) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2704/99 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Transport of animals Recent investigations carried out by animal welfare NGOs have shown that many farm animals suffer during long-distance transportation to slaughterhouses. The Eurogroup for Animal Welfare, will be presenting a summary of these investigations to the European Commission prior to a review of the Directive on the Protection of Animals during Transport (91/628/ EEC (1) as amended by 95/29/EC (2)). It is clear that the enforcement of the transport rules is not being taken seriously by Member States. What steps is the Commission proposing to take to ensure better enforcement? (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991, p. 17. (2) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 52. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (4 February 2000) The Commission is aware, both from information gathered during inspection missions and as a result of complaints from animal welfare organisations (such as the report from Eurogroup for animal welfare mentioned by the Honourable Member), that journeys which are in breach of the provisions of Council Directive 91/628/EC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 concerning the protection of animals during transport (1), notably in relation to time limits and resting, feeding and watering requirements, still frequently take place in the Community. Concerning future activities the Commission is considering measures based on an opinion of the scientific committee on animal welfare adopted on 8 December 1999, on standards in the vehicles transporting livestock. This proposal is foreseen for the first quarter of 2000. A working group of the standing veterinary committee has recently been established to consider particular problems of the enforcement of the Directive in respect of long-distance transport operations including the import of horses from third countries. Copies of the report from Eurogroup mentioned above have been distributed to the Member States during the first meeting of the group. During the next year the Commission will consider proposals to amend current Community legislation on the basis of the conclusions of this working group. During the first quarter of 2000, as provided by Article 13 of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (2), the Commission will present to the Council a report on the experience acquired by Member States since the implementation of this Directive. The report will take into consideration all the information transmitted by Member States, the result of the inspection carried out by the food and veterinary office in this field and the data derived from the complaints from non-governmental organisations. (1) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995. (2) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991. (2000/C 225 E/222) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2730/99 by GØrard Deprez (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Work-related deaths in developing countries Is the Commission aware that every year over one million work-related deaths occur around the world and hundreds of thousands of workers are injured in industrial accidents? The number of deaths caused by work-related injuries is particularly high in the developing countries. 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/197 Which projects aimed specifically at improving working conditions have been given support under the European Unionís development policy, and in particular under the áproject cofinancingí and ádecentralised cooperationí programmes? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (2 February 2000) The Commission is well aware of working conditions in developing countries and the number of deaths to which they give rise. However, the Commission is limited in the action it can take on the matter, notably via development cooperation programmes. Nonetheless, specific, targeted action to improve working conditions has been taken with the support of the Commission and Parliament under budget headings B7-6000 and B7-6430. The Community supported some 40 operations over the last two years, involving awareness campaigns on the impact of globalisation on the labour market and the concept of fair trade, and highlighting working conditions in developing countries. For example in 1999 almost EUR 1 million was allocated under budget heading B7-6000 on activities organised by the Brazilian trade union federation CUT relating to health and safety and environmental protection at work, as part of a national campaign costing some EUR 2 million. The Commission would also point out that in negotiating a new partnership between the Community and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, the parties will reaffirm their commitment to uphold basic standards set out in the relevant International Labour Organisation conventions, i. e. freedom to join a trade union, freedom of organisation and collective bargaining, elimination of the worst forms of child labour, and non-discrimination in employment. (2000/C 225 E/223) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2739/99 by Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) and Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Latina-Goodyear affair Since 1965 the American company Goodyear has had a factory in the district of Cisterna di Latina (Lazio region). 560 workers are employed at the factory. Over the years, in the period during which the area was covered by the Mezzogiorno Development Fund, the company may have been granted funding from the public purse. Recently, Goodyear has announced that it intends to close the factory shortly because it is not profitable. Can the Commission say: 1. Whether it considers it appropriate to ask the Italian government to find out if Goodyear, in the past, has been the recipient of public funds and, if so, how much funding it received; 2. Whether, in view of the employment problems in the area, the Commission considers that it should take steps to prevent multinational companies from abandoning production sites, as has been seen in recent years, once public funding ceases to be available, with no regard for the welfare of employees or the protection of the environment?