WRITTEN QUESTION E-1679/99 by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Antibiotics in feedingstuffs.
C 170 E/72 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 With regard to the hunting of certain species, the directive requires Member States to ensure that the principles of áwise use and ecologically balanced controlí of populations of the species concerned, in particular migratory species, are observed. They are required to ensure that migratory species in particular are not hunted during the various stages of reproduction or the rearing season. In March 1994 the Commission proposed an amendment to the directive, leaving it to each Member State to determine the period of the hunting season. The Commission proposal, which did not lay down a uniform EU-wide date for the end of the hunting season, was debated by the European Parliament. In February 1996, Members voted in favour of the annual hunting season ending on 31 January throughout the EU. What steps have since been taken by the Council to meet Parliamentís demand? Some Member States have fixed the period of the hunting season in a way which puts at risk the conservation of certain species. For example, the hunting season in France opens at a time when young birds are still dependent on being cared for by their parents. This contravenes of Article 7 (4) of Directive 79/0409/EEC. For that reason, infringement proceedings have been instituted against France. What stage has been reached in the proceedings? What action does the Council intend to take to ensure that the provisions of Directive 79/0409/EEC are implemented in all the Member States? (1) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1. Reply (2 December 1999) In examining the Commission proposal, which defines the extent of Member Statesí discretion with regard particularly to the date of the end of the hunting season, the Council specifically considered the possibility of a single cut-off date, which could fall between 31 January and 10 March. The Council noted the opinion of the European Parliament on this subject in 1996, in favour of a uniform EU-wide date for the end of the hunting season, namely 31 January each year. However the Council has not yet managed to find a solution which might achieve unanimous agreement on all the problems raised by the Commission proposal. In order to facilitate as broad an agreement as possible, contacts between the Member States concerned are currently underway. (2000/C 170 E/081) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1679/99 by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission (22 September 1999) Subject: Antibiotics in feedingstuffs For decades antibiotics have been used as growth promoters for fattening purposes. However, the use of such feed additives poses the risk that bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotics and it may no longer be possible to treat diseases occurring with them. Furthermore, residues of the antibiotics may find their way into the human body through the consumption of eggs, milk, meat, etc. , thereby posing a significant health risk. Sweden imposed a ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in fattening on 1 January 1986, prior to the countryís accession to the European Union. During the Austrian Presidency, the use of four antibiotic feed additives was banned throughout the EU. 20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/73 Will the Commission support a ban on the use of all antibiotics as growth promoters in feedingstuffs? If so, what measures does the Commission intend to take to enforce such a ban in all the Member States? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (9 November 1999) Council Directive 70/0524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives in feedingstuffs (1) governs both authorisation and withdrawal of authorisation for antibiotics as growth stimulants. The Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2821/98 of 17 December 1998 amending, as regards withdrawal of the authorisation of certain antibiotics, Directive 70/0524/EEC concerning additives in feedingstuffs (2), which withdrew authorisation for four antibiotics (virginiamycin, tylosin phosphate, spiramycin and bacitracin zinc) as additives in feedingstuffs. Since these four antibiotics had either been authorised as human medicinal products or demonstrated cross-resistance to antibiotics used in human medicine, it was decided that they must be reserved for use in human medicine. Four other antibiotics (monensin, salinomycin, avilamycin and flavophospholipol) were not included in the ban, since no substance belonging to this group was being used in veterinary or human medicine at that time. Swedenís ban (under the Act of Accession) on using antibiotics as additives expired on 31 December 1998. In accordance with Article 11 of Directive 70/0524/EEC, on 1 January 1999 Sweden suspended authorisation for the four antibiotics still on the market. The Commission and Member State representa- tives on the standing committee on feedingstuffs are currently examining the documents submitted in this connection. On 28 May 1999 the Commissionís scientific steering committee delivered its opinion on antimicrobial resistance. The committee issued the following recommendations with regard to antibiotics used as additives in feedingstuffs: áthe use of agents from classes which are or may be used in human medicine should be phased out as soon as possible and ultimately abolished. Efforts should also be made to replace those antimicrobials promoting growth with no known risk of influencing intestinal bacterial infections by non-antimicrobial alternativesí. Having already taken such action at the end of 1998 in respect of four antibiotics, the Commission is currently examining the case of a fifth. It is also looking at how best to phase out the remaining antibiotics over the longer term and replace them with non-microbial alternatives. (1) OJ L 270, 14. 12. 1970. (2) OJ L 351, 29. 12. 1998. (2000/C 170 E/082) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1680/99 by Karl von Wogau (PPE-DE) to the Commission (22 September 1999) Subject: Distortion of competition resulting from European Union subsidies Does the Commission agree that there is overcapacity in Germany in the field of collecting and sorting old clothes? Is the Commission aware that SOEX Textil-Vermarktungsgesellschaft mbH in Bad Oldesloe has been granted assistance for setting up a company in Saxony-Anhalt, although the business in question is the European market leader in this sector?