Compliance with and enforcement of pig welfare provisions
8.12.2017
Question for written answer E-007586-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Keith Taylor (Verts/ALE) , Fredrick Federley (ALDE) , Jytte Guteland (S&D) , Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL) , Jeppe Kofod (S&D)
Despite initiatives taken by the Commission to foster the exchange of best practices and assist Member States in enforcing Council Directive 2008/120/EC, thus far only Sweden and Finland have implemented the provisions relating to the prevention of tail biting, the ban on routine tail docking, and the supplying of enrichment materials to all pigs[1].
Their example clearly shows that complying with this legislation is possible. In spite of this evidence, the Commission continues to privilege a ‘soft’ approach to the widespread breaches of pig welfare provisions, which not only damages the reputation of the European Union as a world leader in animal welfare, but also constitutes a competitive disadvantage for Member States that are fully compliant with Directive 2008/120/EC.
In view of these considerations, the Commission is requested to answer the following:
- 1.Is the Commission considering launching infringement procedures against Member States that still do not comply with the provisions of Council Directive 2008/120/EC in relation to the ban on routine tail docking and the provision of enrichment materials to pigs?
- 2.If not, at what point will the Commission consider that Member States’ non-compliance would warrant infringement procedures, bearing in mind the fact that this legislation is nearly a decade old?
- [1] http://ec.europa.eu/food/audits-analysis/overview_reports/act_getPDF.cfm?PDF_ID=790