RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health ("Animal Health Law")

on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health ("Animal Health Law")

(11779/1/2015 – C8‑0008/2016 – 2013/0136(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Council position at first reading (11779/1/2015 – C8‑0008/2016),

–  having regard to the reasoned opinion submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by the Austrian Federal Council, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,

–  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 10 December 2013[1],

–  after consulting the Committee of the Regions,

–  having regard to its position at first reading[2] on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2013)0260),

–  having regard to Article 294(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Rule 76 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A8-0041/2016),

1.  Approves the Council position at first reading;

2.  Approves the joint statement by Parliament, the Council and the Commission annexed to this resolution;

3.  Takes note of the Commission statements annexed to this resolution;

4.  Notes that the act is adopted in accordance with the Council position;

5.  Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council, in accordance with Article 297(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;

6.  Instructs its Secretary-General to sign the act, once it has been verified that all the procedures have been duly completed, and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of the Council, to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

7.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

ANNEX

Joint Statement by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on antimicrobial resistance and the use of veterinary medicinal products

The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council entitled "Action plan against the rising threats from Antimicrobial Resistance" ⁽COM(2011)0748) emphasises the preventive role of the Regulation on transmissible animal diseases (“Animal Health Law”) and the consequent expected reduction of the use of antibiotics in animals. In addition to the requirements of this Regulation, Member States are called upon to commit themselves to collect relevant, comparable and sufficiently detailed data on the actual use of antimicrobial medicinal products in animals and to send such data to the Commission in order to ensure a more prudent use of antimicrobial medicinal products in animals, hence contributing to the reduction of the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Commission Statement on the regular reporting on the use of antimicrobial medicinal products in animals in the Union

The Commission undertakes to publish a regular report as regards the use of antimicrobial medicinal products in animals in the EU on the basis of data made available by the Member States.

Commission Statement on animal welfare

This Regulation lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases which are transmissible to animals or to humans and does not contain provisions which regulate specifically animal welfare, albeit animal health and welfare are linked. The Union has a well-developed acquis regarding animal welfare covering different species (broilers, laying hens, pigs, calves) or activities (farming, transport, slaughter, research, etc.). This animal welfare legislation will necessarily continue to apply. The Commission is fully committed to paying full regard to animal welfare in accordance with Article 13 of the Treaty and within the limits set out therein, including ensuring full implementation and appropriate development of this legislation.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

• [1]  OJ C 170, 5.6.2014, p. 104.
• [2]  Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0381.