WRITTEN QUESTION E-2366/99 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission. Commission reports on veterinary missions carried out in France and Greece.
C 219 E/150 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 Since all Member States received this report, which is also available on the Internet, appropriate to transmit again the same information through the rapid alert system for food. it is no longer (2000/C 219 E/190) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/99 by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Criminal record disclosure of job applicants 1. Research cited by the European Offender Employment Forum reveals wide variations between different EU countries in the regulations for disclosure of past criminal record information to potential employers. Has the Commission made any assessment of the impact of these variations on either the free movement of labour within the EU or the employment prospects of ex-offenders? 2. The European Offender Employment Forum estimates that half a million people leave prisons in the EU every year and that many face acute problems in reintegrating back into the labour market. What measures is the Commission taking to support training and employment initiatives for ex-offenders and to tackle discrimination against them in employment? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (18 January 2000) The variations between different Member Statesí regulations on disclosure of past criminal record information to potential employers have such an indirect link with the free movement of labour that the Commission considers that these variations are not of particular relevance to the right to free movement. Within the European employment strategy, ex-offendersí particular difficulties in acquiring relevant skills and in gaining access to the labour market are under guideline 9. This guideline recommends Member States to give special attention to the needs of the disabled, ethnic minorities and other groups and individuals who may be disadvantaged, and to develop appropriate forms of preventive and active policies to promote their integration into the labour market. Furthermore, social and economic re-integration of ex-offenders might also be covered by the incentive measures mentioned in Article 137 (ex Article 118) of the EC Treaty and designed to encourage co- operation between Member States through initiatives aimed at improving knowledge, developing exchanges of information and best practice and promoting innovative approaches. The Commission is currently preparing a draft programme on the basis of this article. (2000/C 219 E/191) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2366/99 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Commission reports on veterinary missions carried out in France and Greece On 23 February 1999, the Commission published a Mission Report on a veterinary mission to Greece. The Report revealed serious breaches in Greece of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) on the protection of animals during transport. The Report also pointed out that route plans for Spanish and Dutch sheep and French cattle, all destined for Greece, were missing or not correctly filled in in the Member States of origin. 1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/151 The Commission has also published a Mission Report on a veterinary mission to France. This revealed serious breaches in France of Council Directive 91/628/EEC. The Report also pointed out that the Dutch and German authorities were allowing heifers to be sent on very long journeys, although in advanced pregnancy, and were accepting route plans which showed that transporters did not intend to respect the legal requirement that cattle must be unloaded and rested for 24 hours after 29 hours of transport. What steps is the Commission taking to require the Dutch, German, French and Greek authorities to ensure compliance with the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC? (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991, p. 17. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (19 January 2000) The Commission has recently opened infringement proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) EC Treaty in relation to the breaches of Community animal welfare law mentioned in the report of a veterinary inspection mission to Greece cited by the Honourable Member. In relation to France, failure to comply with the rules 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) appears to be at least partially due to the fact that full transposition of the latter text by that Member State has only recently been completed. Infringement proceedings in respect of such incomplete transposition were opened and the case was brought before the Court of justice. It is the Commissionís practice to withdraw such proceedings when the Commission is satisfied that the Member State has satisfied its obligations in relation to the transposition of the Directive. The Commission is also examining information concerning further apparent breaches of the relevant rules by France and will not hesitate to initiate additional Article 226 proceedings if necessary. The Commission is aware, both from information gathered during inspection missions and as a result of receipt of complaints from animal welfare organisations, that journeys which are in breach of the provisions of the above mentioned directives, notably in relation to time limits and resting, feeding and watering, are still frequently taking place. Consignments of livestock originating in some Member States are not always accompanied by a properly completed route plan. When such breaches come to the attention of the Commission it intervenes with the Member State concerned and is prepared to open infringement proceedings in appropriate cases. The Commission has recently convened a new working group on the protection of animals during long distance transport which aims to consider all the problems involved in the enforcement of the relevant directives and to find appropriate solutions. (1) OJ L 282, 15. 10. 1997. (2000/C 219 E/192) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2375/99 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Sheep production in Ireland and the UK Given the crisis in sheep production in Ireland and the UK, would the Commission indicate the EU ewe premium and the rural world premium on a regional basis to take account of Ireland and Britainís lamb prices which are 50 pence/60 pence lower respectively than French lamb prices? Would it remove sheep from extensification calculations, protect Irish sheep farmers from unfair competition from non-EU countries in the upcoming WTO negotiations and insist on the clear labelling of imported lamb?