WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2756/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. Commission personnel
C 31/154 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 5. 2. 1999 Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (28 September 1998) The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís Secretariat a table containing the information requested. (1999/C 31/223) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2756/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (10 September 1998) Subject: Commission personnel Can the Commission please provide a breakdown by nationality of all Aí grade officials working in the Commission? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (28 September 1998) The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís Secretariat a table containing the information requested. (1999/C 31/224) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2761/98 by Xaver Mayer (PPE) to the Commission (3 September 1998) Subject: Breeding game on farms Breeding game has become a major commercial activity in EU agriculture. It often enables land to be used where there is no alternative use for it. Against a background of different production processes in the EU and the Communityís low level of self-sufficiency, farmers who breed game face serious problems due primarily to cheap imports from non-EU countries and also to the fact that the authorization and veterinary legislation is not harmonized. The Commission is requested to answer the following questions: 1. Does the Commission believe that adequate account is taken of the protection of animals in the legislation on the breeding of game on farms in Europe? Is it aware of differences among the various Member States that distort competition? Is it necessary, in the Commissionís view, to require imports from third countries to satisfy certain production and breeding conditions? 2. Does the Commission believe that the designation ámeat of game bred on farmsí should be dependent on the satisfaction of certain breeding and production conditions so that a distinction is made between such products and the meat of agricultural livestock? 3. Does the Commission believe that the use of genetic engineering, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, the keeping of animals in sheds and the amputation of antlers should be prohibited in the breeding of game on farms throughout Europe and in the case of imports from third countries? 4. Does the Commission believe that imported meat of game bred on farms in third countries should be subject to the tariff on the meat of agricultural livestock rather than the tariff on game? 5. Is the Commission aware that Johnís disease has occurred in stocks of game in New Zealand, Australia and other overseas countries?