Press and Information Division


INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS

6 December 2001

Judgment in case C-1/00

    Commission of the European Communities v France

on 13 December 2001

By a Decision of 27 March 1996 “on emergency measures to protect against BSE”, the Commission prohibited the exportation of meat and meat products derived from bovine animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom to other Member States and non-member countries.

In March 1998, the Council lifted the ban, subject to strict conditions, for certain meat and meat products derived from bovine animals slaughtered in Northern Ireland.

By a Decision of 25 November 1998, the Commission adopted the principle of permitting the export of bovine products under a Date Based Export Scheme (DBES). Pursuant to that Decision, the Commission, by its Decision of 23 July 1999, set the date of 1 August 1999 as the date from which the export of bovine meat products from the United Kingdom could recommence.

The French authorities, after consulting AFFSA (Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments) considered that the risk of contamination of bovine animals by BSE from other routes than the two known routes, namely feed and maternal transmission, could not be ruled out.

In those circumstances, and despite an opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee referred to by the Commission, France did not lift its ban.

The Commission therefore brought an action before the Court of Justice of the European Communities on 4 January 2000 for a declaration that France had failed to fulfil its Community obligations by not applying the Commission's Decision.

The Commission is supported by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Court of Justice of the European Communities will deliver its judgment on 13 December 2001.



Unofficial document for media use which does not bind the Court of Justice.

Available in English, French and German.

www.curia.eu.int 

For further information please contact Fionnuala Connolly
Tel: (00352) 4303 3355; Fax: (00352) 4303 2731.
 


ACCREDITATION FORM

FOR MEDIA USE ONLY

Accreditation to be sent by fax before 12 pm, 11 December 2001, to:
Fax No: 00352-43 03 30 34
Contact: Mrs Sophie Mosca-Bischoff
Tel: 00352-43 03 32 05

Name:

 

Press Agency / Organisation:

 

Contact number (Tel):

 

(Fax):  
Number of persons:
 
Do you seek authorisation to photograph?
(Please delete as appropriate) Yes No
 
Do you seek authorisation to film?
(Please delete as appropriate) Yes No
 

In principle, your application will be accepted, unless you are otherwise informed by the Court.


A PRESS ROOM WITH OFFICE EQUIPMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE

Please note the following;

* the use of mobile phones or other loud electronic devices is not permitted during the hearing;

* the public is requested to remain quiet and seated throughout the hearing or ceremony;

* photography and filming are authorised only at the very beginning of the hearing (seating of the President and parties only);

* the use of flash or supplementary lighting systems is not permitted;

* if numerous photographers and cameramen are interested, a .pool. may be arranged by the Press and Information Division;

* photographers and cameramen may not move around the hearing room in order to take photographs or to film;

* press are asked to use the Thomas More entrance, Boulevard Konrad Adenauer.