Plucking of down from live geese in Hungary
12.7.2005
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2735/05
by Kathalijne Buitenweg (Verts/ALE)
to the Commission
On 6 April 2005 I received an answer from Mr Kyprianou to my first question on the plucking of down from live geese in Hungary (Written Question P‑0719/05), in which he wrote that, if the plucking of down from live birds causes unnecessary pain, suffering or injury, this amounts to a breach of Article 3 of Directive 98/58/EC[1]. There can be no doubt that the plucking of down from live geese causes unnecessary pain, suffering or injury. In this connection, I would refer you, as I did in my first question, to the pictures shown under the following link:
http://www.rvu.nl/kvw/index.php?i=8&r=30&n=329
I am surprised at the fact that the Commission has not yet taken action in response to my previous question. Further to the Commission's answer of 6 April 2005, I therefore wish to ask the following additional questions:
- 1.Does the Commission take the view that the plucking of down from live geese in Hungary, of which I informed the Commission in Written Question P‑0719/05, causes unnecessary pain, suffering or injury?
- 2.If so, what measures will the Commission be taking in order to put an end to this breach by Hungary of Article 3 of Directive 98/58/EC?
- 3.If not, what, in the Commission's view, is the necessity for the plucking of down from live geese in Hungary? Does the Commission not agree that there are suitable alternative methods of obtaining down and also suitable alternatives to the use of down as a material?
- [1] OJ L 221, 8.8.1998, p. 23.
OJ C 327, 30/12/2006