B4-0154/97

Resolution on leghold traps

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91 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 Regulation (EC) No 1771/94 laying down provisions on the introduction into the Community of pelts and manufactured goods of certain wild animal species ((OJ L 184, 20.7.1994, p. 3.)),

A. whereas Article 3(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91 stipulates that the introduction into the Community of the pelts of the animal species listed in Annex I to that Regulation shall be prohibited as of 1 January 1995 unless internationally agreed humane trapping standards are in place, and whereas Regulation (EEC) No 1771/94 postpones this date to 1 January 1996,

B. whereas the Commission has failed to present the implementation measures as foreseen in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91,

C. whereas the European Parliament has stated on many occasions, in particular in its opinion of 10 September 1990 on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the importation of certain furs (COM(89)0198 - C3-0082/89) ((OJ C 260, 15.10.1990, p. 18.)), its resolution of 14 December 1995 on leghold traps ((OJ C 17, 22.1.1996, p. 167.)) (following a statement by Commissioner Bjerregaard), and its opinion of 19 June 1996 on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91 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 (COM(95)0737 - C4-0105/96 - 95/0357(SYN)) ((OJ C 198, 8.7.1996, p. 101.)), that leghold traps are an unacceptable and cruel way of trapping animals and that therefore the import of pelts of animals trapped by leghold traps must be banned as foreseen under Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1771/94,

D. whereas the Commission received a mandate from the Council to negotiate standards for humane trapping methods with the United States, Canada and Russia,

E. whereas the Commission initialled agreements thereon with Canada on 6 December 1996 and Russia on 17 December 1996,

F. whereas the Environment Council decided on 9 December 1996 that the result of the negotiations was unsatisfactory and that a ban on the import of pelts of animals trapped by means of leghold traps should be put into effect if more satisfactory agreements were not forthcoming by March 1997,

G. whereas the Commission decided on 18 December 1996 to recommend that Council endorse the agreements, thereby ignoring the aforementioned Environment Council decision,

1. Considers that the results of the negotiations with the United States, Canada and Russia on an International Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards run counter to the Environment Council's mandate and to the opinion of the European Parliament;

2. Is opposed to the Commission's decision to support the results of the negotiations and to forward them to the Council;

3. Restates its position that a ban on the import of pelts of animals captured by leghold traps has been in place since 1 January 1996 and should be enforced as soon as possible but in any case no later than 31 March 1997, in line with the Environment Council decision of 9 December 1996;

4. Calls on the Commission to take the required measures to implement the aforementioned Council decision;

5. Opposes the Commission's position which gives higher priority to trade than to animal welfare;

6. Expresses disapproval of the Commission's disregard for the Council Decision of 9 December 1996 and for Parliament's opinion on the leghold issue;

7. Expresses irritation that the Commission has asked the General Affairs Council to put this problem on the agenda for its meeting on 24 February 1997 as this displays contempt for the competence of the Environment Council;

8. Calls on the General Affairs Council to uphold the aforementioned Environment Council decision;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.