Press and Information Division

INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS
26 June 2001

HEARINGS IN CASE T-13/99 AND CASE T-70/99

Pfizer Animal Health SA/NV v Council of the European Union
and
Alpharma Inc. v Council of the European Union


Pfizer Animal Health SA/NV, a company incorporated under Belgian law, is the sole producer of virginiamycin, an antibiotic manufactured in its factory at Rixensart (Belgium) and sold under the name "Stafac".

Alpharma Inc., established in the United States, produces an antibiotic known as bacitracin zinc, which it markets under the name "Albac".

Both virginiamycin and bacitracin zinc have been entered, in accordance with the procedures laid down for that purpose, in the list of additives which may be used in animal feed. When administered on a regular basis to livestock, those additives boost the animals' growth.

Virginiamycin belongs to a family of antibiotics some of which are used in human medicine. Bacitracin zinc is used in human medicine.

By its regulation adopted on 17 December 1998, the Council withdrew four antibiotics, including virginiamycin and bacitracin zinc, from the list of additives authorised for use in animal feed. That regulation consequently bans the sale of those antibiotics in all the Member States with effect from 1 July 1999 at the latest. The two manufacturers are contesting the legality of the regulation in proceedings before the Court of First Instance, and are seeking its annulment in whole or in part.

On 30 June 1999 the President of the Court, adjudicating on applications for interim relief, held that the protection of public health must take precedence over economic considerations. He therefore dismissed the applications for suspension of operation of the Council regulation made by the two manufacturers.

The hearings in these cases will take place on 2 July 2001 (Case T-13/99) and 3 July 2001 (Case T-70/99) before the Third Chamber of the Court of First Instance.


Please return to us the attached slip in order to obtain an accreditation.


Unofficial document for media use only; not binding on the Court of Justice.

Available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish.

www.curia.eu.int 

For further information please contact Fionnuala Connolly:

Tel: (00 352) 4303 3355; Fax: (00 352) 4303 2731
  




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* 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.


ACCREDITATION FORM

    FOR MEDIA USE ONLY

Accreditation to be sent by fax to: 00 352 4303 2731
Contact: Ms Fionnuala Connolly
Tel: 00 352 4303 3355


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