Activities of Rosa MIGUÉLEZ RAMOS related to 2007/2260(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Animal health strategy 2007-2013 (debate)
Amendments (29)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas animals are living, sentient beings and theirefore cannot be treated as commodities; whereas the protection and humanecorrect treatment of animals is a cultural and civilisational challenge for 21st- Century Europe,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas animal welfare is importantamong the factors contributory to animal health and is justified on nbot justh ethical but alsoand economic grounds, and must be grounded on solid scientific bases,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas in the last decade the European livestock population has suffered several outbreaks of disease – some already known and others new, such as SARS – which have entailed serious financial losses for livestock farmers and, in some cases, created concern and a lack of confidence among consumers,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas trade is becoming increasingly globalised and the trade in animal products is on the increase, both within the EU and internationally,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the new Animal Health Strategy for the EU covers the time-frame 2007-2013,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the development of a strategic approach to EU animal health policy as well as the proposals for risk- based objectives and better regulation, and supports the overall aims, objectives and principles set out in the communicationnd supports the overall aims, objectives and principles set out in the communication, which will enable the EU to reinforce its protection mechanisms and preparedness in the face of the onset of new epizootic diseases;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Alerts the Commission and the Council to the fact that the 2007-2013 time-frame laid down in the communication is impossible to respect, given that the discussions on the communication are still on-going and the basic legislation required for its implementation will not exist until 2010 at the earliest;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls, in this respect, for greater ambition and for a longer-term view from the Commission when bringing forward its legislative proposals, which will enable benefits to be derived from other coming discussions that will affect the EU’s budgetary resources and political priorities in the future;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that farmers, breeders and owners have an essential role to play in monitoring the health of animals and in the prevention and detection of diseases;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. EndorsWelcomes the vision and purpose set out by the Commission, under which 'extensive stakeholder consultation' and 'a firm commitment to high standards of animal health' will to hold extensive consultations with stakeholders to facilitate both the establishment of priorities consistent with the strategic goals and a review of what constitute acceptable and appropriate standards; reminds it, however, that the framing and implementation of policies is the exclusive responsibility of the public authorities, which in this specific case are the risk managers (the Commission, Parliament and the Member States);
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the strategy's recognition of thePoints out that although there is a crucial relationship between the health of animals and their welfare, and expects to see both issues considered as going hand ithe primary aim of the strategy is to revise extensively the manner in which Europe combats epizootic diseases, by reinforcing protection hand in the upcoming policy; preparedness in the face of these emerging diseases;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the Commission’s intent to introduce a communication strategy on risk, managed by stakeholders and consumers; points out that although Europe’s livestock production is safer than ever and subject to rigorous checks, the way that the public perceive this area is far from satisfactory, which in the case of some recent crises has already created problems for the market owing to a loss of confidence;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Proposes, as a result, that a Permanent Communication Office be created alongside the Animal Health Advisory Committee, made up of professionals and equipped with the latest technology, and instructed to frame and implement a strategy on communication in times of crisis and in times of plenty;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Points out that the animal health strategy should also cover the activities of abattoirs, animal transport businesses and feed suppliersfocus on the four pillars indicated in the document: pinpointing of priority risks, modernisation of legislation, better prevention and preparedness in the face of crises and encouragement of scientific research;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Points out that the proposed strategy can produce positive results if clear and transparent arrangements are laid down for the funding of the individual measures, something that the Commission communication fails to do; considers which, as in the case of strengthening surveillance systems and biosafety measures, will require greater funding; criticises the Commission for the fact that the communication makes no mention of the funding requirements for this policy; considers, moreover, that the strategy should clearly indicate by whom, and in what amount, individual measures – such as ensuring biological security on farms, vaccination programmes, scientific research or higher animal welfare standards – are to be funded;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Voices its dissatisfaction at the indications that individual measures will be financed from ‘existing’ funds, since those funds may prove inadequate and calls on the Commission to advocate enhancing the possibilities of the current veterinary fund, preparing its arguments for the budget discussions that will begin in 2009;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Points to the need for risk categorisation also to cover issues relating to stocking density; points out that high stocking densities on large farms using industrial breeding methods are usually detrimental to the welfare of the animals and, furthermore, significantly increase the risk of disease and hamper disease control; takes the view that agricultural policy should encourage lower stocking densities and should not provide incentives for the establishment of large holdings; stresses, furthermore, that large, intensive livestock holdings should come under special veterinary, sanitary and environmental surveillance and that their siting should not adversely affect the local population or the environmentthe process of establishing that risk profiling and categorisation, which is already under way at EU level, to be based on reliable scientific data and to take into account both social issues and ethical and economic ones;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Points to the heightened risks involved in long-distance transport of live animals, which spreads disease and hampers disease-control efforts; considers, in this connection, that restrictions should be placed on the transport of live animals and that thought should be given to p, at Community and global level, in the increase in the movements of animals and people, which spreads disease and hampers disease-control efforts; points out that, since this situation is unstoppable, it is necessary to adopt measures to avert the dangers relacting an eight-hour ceiling on transport timto animal health and avoid the spread of diseases;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Shares the view that the current EU animal health framework is complicated, unclear and non-transpar and fragmented and thushence needs to be made more coherentsimplified; takes the view that the fundamental rules governing action on animal health should, where possible, be set out in a single legislative act;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Acknowledges the need for a revision of the current cofinancing instrument and stresses that cofinancing arrangements should cover, among other things, risk categorisation, on the basis of the principle that the greater the risk, the greater the responsibility of anyone contributing to that riskwhich makes it possible to ensure that all the players assume their responsibilities and play a part in detecting and eradicating diseases;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Points out in this respect that producers currently only receive partial compensation for the culling of sick animals in the event of an epizootic outbreak, and have to bear every aspect of loss of income, making them the main losers;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Fully shares the view that the compensation system cannot be confined to the provision of compensation to owners of animals that are culled in response to the outbreak of disease, butis system should be combined with risk-prevention incentives, on the basis of the principle that the better the animal health and welfare standards owners maintain, the better they are compensated in the event of a disease outbreak; takes the view that that principle should also apply to Member States, as an incentive to reduce risk levels;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Indicates the need for a substantial Community contribution in respect of those major diseases, in order to ensure equal treatment and opportunities where these are beyond the resources of the countries and producers concerned;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Agrees that there is a need to strengthen the role of the Community at international level in the negotiation of export conditions, as has already been done for import conditions and for consignments to certain third countries;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Takes the view that veterinary and customs controls at EU borders should be particularly rigorous with a view to preventing the illegal import of or trafficking in animals, given the major risk of spreading disease that they entail; draws attention, in this connection, to the need for organisational, training and financial assistance to be provided to veterinary services at the EU's external borders, including its maritime borders, in particular in the new Member States;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Calls on the Commission and the Council to establish mechanisms to ensure better coordination between customs services, veterinary services and tour operators, so that they facilitate better cooperation between Member States at European level and with third countries;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Stresses the need for veterinary surgeons to be provided with effective training in prompt detection of serious animal- related threats and for support for such training at EU level, together with measures to ensure its consistency;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Takes the view that, in connection with action in response to the threat of a crisis, it is essential to ensure the availability of specialist knowledge and of humane means of carrying out any necessary culling of animals that will spare them unnecessary sufferingwith as little suffering as possible, in recognition of the fact that they are living, sentient beings;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Points to the need for the development of a network of Community and national reference laboratories dealing with animal diseases, and agrees that scientifically uniform test methods shoincreased collaboration between European Agencies and national research bodies dealing with animal diseases, and agrees with the Commission on the need to review, and if necessary broaden, the sphere of competence of the Community Reference Laboratories following their assessment, scheduled be appliedfor this year;