B4-0938/95

Resolution on excessive and costly veterinary measures to be applied to the fishing industry without European Parliament consultation

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council Directive amending the Annex to Directive 85/73/EEC on the financing of veterinary inspections and controls of animal products covered by Annex A to Directive 89/662/EEC and by Directive 90/675/EEC (COM(94)0346),

A.whereas it is unacceptable that the European Parliament has not been consulted on an important veterinary and financial proposal,

B.whereas it fully supports appropriate hygiene measures for the fisheries sector to ensure the quality of fishery products,

C.whereas the Commission is proposing to amend the Annexes to Directive 85/73/EEC on the financing of veterinary inspections, in order to apply fees for the inspection of fishery products covered by Directive 91/493/EEC,

D.whereas Directive 85/73/EEC, which originally dealt with meat only, pre-dates the Single Act and the Treaty on European Union,

E.whereas health conditions for the marketing of fishery products are different from those applying to meat,

F.whereas the fishing industry is particularly sensitive to any increase in costs,

G.whereas, at the Fisheries Council of 10 June 1994, the Commission recognised the need to reduce the burden of regulation on the fishing industry,

1.Calls on the Commission to consult the European Parliament on its proposal on the financing of veterinary inspections in the fisheries sector;

2.Calls on the Council not to take a decision until it has received Parliament's opinion;

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council.