A4-0187/97

Resolution on the signing and conclusion of an international agreement between the European Community, Canada and the Russian Federation on humane trapping standards

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Rule 90(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to its resolution of 21 February 1997 on leghold traps ((OJ C 85, 17.3.1997, p. 188.)),

- having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3254/91 of 4 November 1991 prohibiting the use of leghold traps in the Community and the introduction into the Community of pelts and manufactured goods of certain wild animal species originating in countries which catch them by means of leghold traps or trapping methods which do not meet international humane trapping standards ((OJ L 308, 9.11.1991, p. 1.)),

- having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation 3254/91 (COM(95)0737 - 95/0357(SYN)) ((OJ C 58, 28.2.1996, p. 17.)),

- having regard to its opinion of 19 June 1996 on this proposal ((OJ C 198, 8.7.1996, p. 69.)),

- having regard to the report of the Working Group on the Development of International Humane Trapping Standards submitted on 20 June 1996,

- having regard to decisions made at the Environment Council meetings in June and December 1996 and in March 1997,

- having regard to the ongoing negotiations on a proposal for a Council Decision concerning the signing and conclusion of an international agreement between the European Community, Canada and the Russian Federation on humane trapping standards (COM(97)0017),

- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0187/97),

1. Regrets that more than 16 months after the import ban specified under Regulation 3254/91 should have come into force and four months after the original deadline set by the Council to conclude negotiations with third countries, the proposed agreement fails to offer satisfactory solutions both in terms of animal protection and trade;

2. Deplores the fact that the proposed agreement permits the continued use of all leghold traps in third countries for at least another four years and may allow some types of leghold trap to be classified as humane;

3. Regrets that with regard to the welfare and selectivity of trapped species, the proposed agreement negotiated by the Commission substantially fails to reflect the position of the EU's own scientific experts;

4. Notes that no agreement has been reached with the United States;

5. Calls on the Council and the Commission to:

(a) reject the proposed agreement as totally inadequate and ineffective,

(b) implement the import ban without further delay,

(c) continue negotiations with third countries in order to establish a comprehensive agreement which will achieve the prohibition of all leghold traps within a rapid and fixed timescale, will require killing traps to be effective within 30 seconds, will ensure the use of selective trapping methods, has adequate means of enforcement without derogations and provides for the involvement of representatives of indigenous peoples and international animal welfare organizations in the negotiations with consultative status,

(d) ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are guaranteed by including special paragraphs on indigenous peoples which take account of their interests;

6. Condemns the fact that the legally binding four-year timetable for the total ban of conventional steel-jaw leghold traps in Annex 1, art. 4.2 of the draft agreement of 24 January 1997 (COM(97)0017) has been withdrawn in the version of 21 May 1997;

7. Requests its President to reconsider his decision of 20 September 1996 not to take action for the time being against the Commission in accordance with Article 175 of the EC Treaty;

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