WRITTEN QUESTION E-0209/00 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. The import of live animals from third countries.
C 303 E/162 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 The Commission is also considering closer cooperation with Eastern European countries to improve checks at departure and during transport. Most of the third countries concerned are in the process of accession and could be helped by the technical assistance information exchange office (TAIEX). Contacts have recently been made with TAIEX in order to promote animal welfare in these countries and particularly in relation to the transport of live animals. (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991. (2000/C 303 E/179) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0209/00 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (4 February 2000) Subject: The import of live animals from third countries In October 1999 the Commission published a report showing that the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) (as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC) (2) on the protection of animals during transport are often not being enforced at certain Italian border inspection posts in respect of live animals entering the European Union from third countries. Animal welfare organisations have also reported breaches of the laws designed to protect animals during transport at the border inspection post of Gorizia. the Commission now consider withdrawing the approval Will inspection post? for Gorizia to function as a border Will the Commission also consider opening the Article 226 infringement procedure in respect of Italyís failure to enforce the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC) at certain border inspection posts? (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991, p. 17. (2) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 52. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) The Commission is aware of the problems in relation to the insufficient enforcement 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 at the border inspection post of Gorizia (Italy). Reports by its veterinary inspectorate and complaints from various animal welfare organizations also indicate that problems continue to exist in this domain. In the last five years five veterinary inspections missions have been carried out at the Italian border inspection posts of Gorizia and Prosseco-Fernetti. The report on Gorizia, with reference to an inspection carried out in July 1999, did not recommend the withdrawal of approval for the importation of live animals. Withdrawing the approval of Gorizia to function as a border inspection post is also not foreseen, as this measure would not prevent the traffic from continuing through other routes. The Commission has intervened with the Italian authorities on a number of occasions concerning the inadequate enforcement of the national legislation transposing the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC. Although some short-term improvements were noted in respect of earlier interventions it nevertheless appears that transport of the animals concerned is still frequently being carried out with inadequate respect of animal welfare requirements. The Commission will also in due course take a decision as to whether to open infringement proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) EC treaty in respect of Italyís failure to adequately enforce the rules of the animal transport directives