Turkey's use of aid to combat rabies in dogs

16.12.2008

WRITTEN QUESTION E-6955/08
by Renate Sommer (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission

Further to the question of 8 July 2008 (E‑3774/08) addressed to the Commission and the latter's answer of 3 September 2008, could the Commission reply to the following questions:

The Commission referred in its answer to a Turkish project called ‘Control of rabies disease in Turkey’, which has a total budget of EUR 13 250 650 and is apparently co‑funded by the European Union.

1. How high is the EU's contribution to this project?

2. Who has received, and is currently receiving, funding under this project?

3. For what specific use has the aid been allocated to date and does the EU carry out robust checks on its use? (According to press reports, a special commission of the Turkish Interior Ministry is charged with bringing to light any abuses in the use of funding.)

4. What is the procedure for deciding for what purpose and to whom funding is to be allocated?

5. Is there a regional emphasis in the use of the funding in Turkey?

6. In connection with the funding of vaccines, are there plans to vaccinate stray dogs or is vaccination confined to livestock?

Turkey signed the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals on 18 November 1999 and ratified it on 28 November 2003. The Convention covers, inter alia, humane methods to be used to reduce numbers of stray animals (Art. 12).

Does the Commission regard the way of dealing with stray dogs in Beykoz described in the question of 8 July 2008 as compatible with the Convention? Does the Commission intend — possibly in cooperation with the Council of Europe — to exert an influence on Turkey to persuade it to comply with the Convention?

OJ C 316, 23/12/2009