WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1175/98 by Ulf HOLM to the Commission. Transport of animals
C 31/20 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 5. 2. 1999 Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1998) The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to note the answers it has been giving for more than four years on the reasons preventing a successful outcome to its 1994 proposal (1). Recent progress in the Council was reported on in its reply to questions E-503/98, E-505/98, E-507/98, E-509/98 and E-511/98 by Mr Souchet (2). As regards accompanying measures the Commission is at present looking, in close liaison with the national administrations concerned, at how to facilitate conversion to other safer and economically attractive techniques, avoiding those resources which are already overexploited. For the Atlantic it is concentrating on other methods of fishing for albacore. The Commission will continue to make every effect to secure a rapid and equitable decision. (1) COM(94) 131 final. (2) OJ C 386, 11. 12. 1998. (1999/C 31/023) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1175/98 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Transport of animals EU Agriculture Ministers meeting in December 1997 reportedly agreed on a compromise over detailed rules for long-distance transport of animals. It has proved difficult, however, to ascertain the precise implications of the new rules. Nevertheless, the media have reported that the new detailed rules are too lax and will not improve the situation of the animals, particularly in regard to ventilation. Does the Commission believe that these new rules will make the transport of animals less cruel and barbaric than hitherto? If so, in what way are the new rules an improvement? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1998) Following the adoption by the Council of Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport (1), there were two major obligations for the Commission to propose further detailed rules to the Council. The matters concerned were the fixing of conditions for staging points and the establishment of detailed standards for lorries. In respect of staging points, the Commission proposal was adopted as Council Regulation (EC) 1255/97 of 25 June 1997 concerning Community criteria for staging points and amending the route plan referred to in the Annex to Directive 91/628/EEC (2). After the journey time specified in the Directive has elapsed for the species of animal concerned, animals must be unloaded, fed, watered and rested for at least 24 hours at such a staging point. These rules apply from 1 January 1999. In respect of standards for up-graded lorries the Council adopted as Council Regulation (EC) 411/98 of 16 February 1998 on additional animal protection standards applicable to road vehicles used for the carriage of livestock on journeys exceeding eight hours (3). Important elements in this text are requirements for bedding material on the floor, appropriate feed on board the vehicle, access to the animals, ventilation equipment, movable panels for creating separate compartments and water supply to the animals. These rules will apply from 1 July 1999. The Commission is of the opinion that the adoption of both regulations will constitute an important further step in safeguarding animal welfare during long distance transport, provided that all Member States enforce the rules adequately within their territories. (1) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995. (2) OJ L 174, 2. 7. 1997. (3) OJ L 52, 21. 2. 1998