WRITTEN QUESTION E-1678/99 by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Council. Antibiotics in feedingstuffs.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/21 to Article 226 The Commission therefore instituted proceedings against France in 1997 pursuant (ex-Article 169) of the EC Treaty for failure to fulfil its obligations and, on 15 February 1999, referred the matter to the Court of Justice (Case C-38/99). The Court still has to give a ruling on this case. (1) OJ C 100, 9. 4. 1994. (2) OJ C 65, 4. 3. 1996. (2000/C 203 E/027) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1678/99 by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Council (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. Will the Council support a ban on the use of all antibiotics as growth promoters in feedingstuffs? If so, what measures does the Council intend to take to enforce such a ban in all the Member States? Answer (24 January 2000) At its meeting on 17 December 1998, the Council adopted a Regulation (1) amending Directive 70/524/ EEC concerning additives in feedingstuffs. as regards withdrawal of authorisation of certain antibiotics. The antibiotics involved are virginiamycin, spiramycin, tylosin phosphate and zinc bacitracin. When the above Regulation was adopted, the Council and the Commission confirmed that any decision in this area must continue to be taken on the basis of Community scientific evidence and in the light of the precautionary principle. At its meeting on 14 and 15 June 1999, the Council took note of the publication of the opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee on antimicrobial resistance. In this respect, and with regard to the other categories of antibiotic products mentioned in this opinion, the Commission representative indicated that the Commission departments were preparing appropriate proposals. The Council will examine any measure that the Commission might judge it necessary to propose on the subject with very great interest. The use of antibiotics is also dealt with in a Council Resolution on antibiotic resistance entitled A Strategy Against the Microbial Threatí, adopted on 8 June 1999. This Resolution invites the Commission to include in particular, as a priority, the surveillance of antibiotic resistance in human medicine and in the field of zoonosis control. (1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2821/98 of 17. 12. 1998 published in OJ L 351, 29. 12. 1998, p. 4