§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases have been brought to court in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU countries for non-compliance with directive 92/117. [17180]
§ Mrs. BrowningDirective 92/117 requires member states to collect information on outbreaks of specified zoonoses in humans and animals and provide an annual report to the Commission on the trends and sources of the zoonotic infections recorded during the previous year. The directive also requires member states to establish measures for the testing of breeding flocks of domestic fowl numbering 250 or more birds for salmonella enteritidis or salmonella typhimurium. The requirements for testing breeding flocks are implemented in Great Britain by the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Order 1993 and in Northern Ireland by the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Scheme Order Northern Ireland 1994. Three prosecutions have so far been taken under the Great Britain order for non-compliance with its requirements. No prosecutions have been taken in Northern Ireland. The Department does not collect information on prosecutions taken in other member states.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recommendations Her Majesty's Government(a) have made and (b) will be making regarding the review of EC directive 92/117. [17177]
§ Mrs. BrowningA Commission proposal for a review of directive 92/117 is under discussion by member states in Brussels but has not yet been agreed. The Government believe, however, that the control of Salmonella enteritidis and salmonella typhimurium in breeding flocks of domestic fowl is an essential element in any programme aimed at the control of these serotypes in production flocks. The Commission is familiar with the United Kingdom's views.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what penalties there are in other EU countries for failure to comply with directive 92/117. [17181]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe Department has not seen the implementation measures submitted to the EC Commission by other member states and has no126W information on the penalties they are applying or wish to apply in respect of the requirements set out in directive 92/117.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many successful prosecutions have been brought under order implementing directive 92/117 in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU countries. [17179]
§ Mrs. BrowningThree successful prosecutions have been brought in Great Britain under the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Order 1993. The Department does not collect information on prosecutions taken in other member states.