Strasbourg, 15/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - Swedish Secretary of State Lars Danielsson recalled on Wednesday in Parliament the measures taken over recent weeks to prevent the spread of the epizootic that now affects not only Great Britain but also France. The Council has every confidence in the measures taken in these two countries, he added.
Commissioner David Byrne, for his part, said that vigilance is still imposed in the UK as the peak expected in the disease has not yet been reached and the epizootic continues to spread. Concerning France, he said he felt sure the Commission's concerns were shared after the discovery of a case of foot-and-mouth on the Continent. He noted that the French authorities have taken stringent measures to prevent the disease from spreading. The Commission is very disappointed by the attitude of third countries that have decided to impose "superfluous" restrictions, which will have to be lifted (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.7). The US Secretary of State for Agriculture undertook to rapidly revise measures taken in Washington, and cooperation has been agreed between our veterinary services to find solutions, said Mr Byrne. There is consensus for the vaccination not to be reintroduced, he also said.
Irish national Avril Doyle (EPP/ED) felt that the collective reaction of the EU is inadequate and too slow, and French Socialist Georges Garot stated one should continue to cull sick animals but also compensate the farmers. He wondered how this disease managed to reach Europe and how the virus, which is present in several regions of the world, can be prevented from spreading. Dutch Liberal Jan Mulder demanded a very clear explanation on the economic consequences of not vaccinating and of vaccination. French Green member Danielle Auroi told the Commissioner: "this is the precautionary principle gone astray" because the disease is not dangerous for human health and animals can recover from it. "Tackle the causes and stop dealing with the consequences", she added, concerning intensive agriculture and the transport of live animals. Spanish national Salvador Jové Péres (GUE) felt that if one gives up vaccination, then a tough reaction is needed to the embargo measures taken by Canada and the United States. Liam Hyland (UEN, Ireland) invited the house not to under-estimate the social and economic consequences of this crisis. French National Front member Jean-Claude Martinez declared: "Because of Adam Smith, the British trains are going off the rails, British cows are going off the rails and British sheep also". Michel Raymond (EDD, French hunters) called for greater support to farmers. Labour member Philip Whitehead, from the UK, expressed his sympathy for French and Irish farmers and also called on the Commissioner for further information as to the origins of the disease. British Conservative Robert Sturdy spoke of a "real national tragedy" and asked whether the situation is really "under control" as the British government claims. Irish Labour member Proinsias De Rossa said one should not demonise a country and, like other speakers, called for reform of CAP.
In answer to MEPs, Mr Byrne noted that foot-and-mouth is scarce in OECD countries where agriculture is the most intensive. The disease appeared in the United Kingdom because legislation was not complied with: Members States are responsible for the implementation and the control of compliance with legislation, he recalled.