§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if she will make a statement on the European Community decision of 3 February giving certain derogations to Greece from directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport;
(2) what are the implications of the European Commission decision of 3 February giving derogations to Greece from directive 91/628/EEC for the export of United Kingdom animals to Greece; and what views were given by her representatives on the Standing Veterinary Committee when that committee considered the granting of derogations to Greece.
§ Mr. SoamesArticle 16 of directive 91/628/EEC provides for measures to be adopted to take account of the natural constraints specific to certain territories. The Commission decision of 3 February applies to the transport of animals in certain areas of Greece which are remote from the Greek mainland. The decision provides that certain detailed requirements of the directive need not apply to such transport, provided that other specified conditions are met in order to safeguard animal welfare. When the Standing Veterinary Committee was asked to give its opinion, the United Kingdom delegation stressed the importance of proper safeguards and considered that the decision fell within the scope of the measures envisaged in article 16. It does not affect the conditions for the transport of animals to Greece from elsewhere in the Community.