Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-11-15-Speech-3-207"
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"en.20001115.9.3-207"2
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"Madam President, there is no let up in media interest in the BSE issue. The same goes for those dreadful pictures of people affected by the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, despite all the action taken in the Member States, not to mention at EU level. The debate we are having today on the consequences of the BSE crisis and how we can actually tackle them, is dealing with some very crucial issues. Firstly, there is the issue of the tests that need to be carried out, and I welcome the fact that we are not going to stipulate a specific age for them. Secondly, there is the question as to whether it is acceptable to use bonemeal in cattle feed, which has been the subject of lively debate here in this Chamber.
The link between feeding cattle bonemeal – which is, as it happens a very unnatural way to feed animals – and BSE is now clear to everyone. So action is called for. In the Netherlands, the legislation governing the use of offal in animal feed is already relatively stringent as matters stand. There has been a ban on using proteins from mammals and ruminants in animal feed destined for ruminants since as early as 1989. What is more, this regulation is continually tightened up and complies with requirements made at European level. The use of fat and blood is also subject to strict rules. Therefore, I am amazed, under these circumstances, that it is still permissible for corpses to be used or processed.
Although there is no evidence of an absolute risk, I welcome the Dutch proposal to place a complete ban on the use of meat in animal feeds with effect from 1 July 2001. We cannot afford, in the light of past events, to allow this offal to enter the food chain, no matter what. Together with my fellow honourable Members, I advocate that we do not wait until July 2001, but enforce this ban now, with almost immediate effect.
There is clearly a need for stringent European measures. So not just national measures, because the functioning of the internal market will be seriously disrupted if we constantly leave it to the national governments to decide to what extent the use of offal in animal feed should be banned. Therefore, for the sake of the internal market, and in order to boost consumer confidence, I would advocate a complete and immediate ban. I would also ask the Commissioner to initiate something of a uniform European approach to the issue of animal corpses and the collection thereof. There are increasing incidences, also in my own country, of dead sheep or calves simply being left behind because it costs too much to have them collected.
Therefore I would ask the Commission to work towards a degree of harmonisation on this score too. If it is not going to do so now, then could it at least put this in writing before long, so that we know where we stand."@en1
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