Bullfighting and the EU budget
24.6.2016
Question for written answer E-005082-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marco Zanni (EFDD) , Marco Affronte (EFDD) , Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD) , Dario Tamburrano (EFDD) , Tiziana Beghin (EFDD) , Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD) , Marco Zullo (EFDD) , Eleonora Evi (EFDD) , Laura Ferrara (EFDD) , Rosa D'Amato (EFDD) , Laura Agea (EFDD) , David Borrelli (EFDD)
On 28 October 2015, the European Parliament approved an amendment (BUDG 1437) modifying budget line 05 03 01 10 — Basic Payment Scheme, with the aim of ensuring that appropriations would not be used to fund the breeding or rearing of bulls used for lethal bull fighting.
The amendment was then incorporated into the EU general budget, published in the Official Journal on 24 February 2016. However, it was accompanied by an annotation to the effect that the amendment, which changes the CAP legal provisions, in particular Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, was not in fact applicable, as indicated in an executability letter from the Commission, also dated 28 October 2015.
On the same day, the European Parliament stated in Resolution P8_TA(2015)0376 that ‘neither CAP appropriations nor any other budgetary provision should be used to fund lethal bullfights’.
In view of this:
- —How does the Commission intend to resolve the question of incompatibility with Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and ensure compliance with the decision of the majority of those representing the citizens of Europe? What is the appropriate instrument for this purpose?
- —If such an amendment to the budget is not, a priori, admissible, why was it adopted and published?