WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3483/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Implementation of the operational programme on industry
12. 11. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 325/11 The Commission was unable to conduct in 1998 a comparative study of the situation in Member States concerning rare diseases since execution of budget line B3-4304 (health and wellbeing) was blocked by the budgetary authority as regards preparatory actions on rare diseases. (1) COM(97) 225 final. (1999/C 325/012) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3481/98 by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission (25 November 1998) Subject: Transport of animals The Commission has submitted to the Council a number of proposals for amendments concerning the transport of live farm animals for periods of up to 24 hours, when journeys of eight hours are currently the rule. Such long journey times are incomprehensible, because long journeys can easily be avoided and because livestock are now less able to withstand being transported than they used to be when they had more exercise. There is no reason for long journey times either for animals kept for production or for breeding stock. Frozen sperm for insemination purposes and frozen ova are the alternative to transporting live breeding stock. Battery hens have such fragile bones that they cannot be moved at all without their legs or wings being broken. Tethered sows also suffer very badly. Horses, pigs and calves suffer from stress when transported. Owing to the high cost of lairage, space is used so as to obtain the maximum financial return, and animals have very little freedom of movement. This ought to mean that permitted journey times are reduced so as to prevent unnecessary suffering. On-farm killing of animals is now a technical possibility, and the aim must be to end the transport of live farm animals altogether. How does the Commission justify these amendments relating to journey times for live animals, and will it work towards abolishing the transport of live animals altogether? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 January 1999) The proposals drafted by the Commission for submission to the Council are based on scientific evidence. There are in principle no differences in needs between animals transported for slaughter and those transported for other purposes, like breeding and fattening. The scientific information does not provide evidence for a ban on transport of animals designated for slaughter. What is important is that the conditions in which animals are transported comply with the needs of the animals. The present Community standards will, when correctly enforced in practice, improve the welfare of the animals. General slaughtering of animals on the farm is not allowed from an animal welfare, animal health and public health point of view. In this context it is important to take into account the need of special equipment and facilities and skills of those involved in slaughtering animals. The Commission agrees that there are alternatives to transport of live animals, like transport of meat, semen, ova and embryos. Community legislation has been established in these areas. (1999/C 325/013) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3483/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Implementation of the operational programme on industry (25 November 1998) The Second Community Support Framework for Greece contains the operational programme on industry which seeks to promote a steady improvement in the competitiveness of undertakings and the mutually