WRITTEN QUESTION E-1210/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Killing of birds in Cyprus

The Commission will be aware of claims that up to 20 million birds, more than half being European migratory song birds, are being caught annually in Cyprus on lime sticks or in nets and killed in a brutal and inhumane manner.

1. How does the Commission reconcile the assurances given at the EU-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting on 26 March 2001 by its representative, James Pond, that the Cypriot authorities are taking seriously the issue of the enforcement of their own laws against bird-trapping, and are taking action, with the subsequent total failure of Foreign Minister Kasoulides, in response to a specific question from myself at the same meeting, to give any assurances or indication whatsoever that the Government of Cyprus is taking, or intends to take, action to enforce these laws?

2. How many prosecutions for illegal bird-trapping have taken place in Cyprus each year since EU accession negotiations began?

3. Does the Commission regard the statement by Foreign Minister Kasoulides at the JPC meeting that he did not think law enforcers would turn a blind eye if they saw bird-trapping taking place before their eyes, as an adequate indication that firm action is being taken by the Cypriot authorities to enforce their own legislation?

4. What evidence will the Commission require from the Government of Cyprus to confirm that it will respect both the letter and the spirit of the Habitats and Birds Directives before it agrees to close the environment chapter of the accession negotiations with Cyprus?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 2001)

The Commission is aware of claims that large numbers of birds are trapped and killed illegally in Cyprus. The issue has already been raised in the Parliament and has been the subject of several press reports. Commission officials have discussed the issue with the Cypriot authorities in consultations on environmental matters. The practice is illegal in Cyprus and the authorities have informed the Commission that they would step up efforts for effective enforcement of the law in question.

Through the accession negotiations and other preparations for Union membership, Cyprus is well aware of the obligations of a Member State in respect of the Community environmental legislation, including that relating to nature protection. Cyprus, together with the other candidates, is strongly encouraged to respect this legislation before accession. Cyprus is also party to the Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats.

The Commission is following closely the preparations by the candidate countries for transposing and implementing Community nature protection legislation (the Habitats Directive, Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1) and Birds Directive, Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(2)), in the framework of the accession negotiations as part of the environment chapter.

Cyprus, like other candidates, will have to apply the protection measures foreseen in Article 6 (2), (3) and (4) of the Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora for all sites included in the list of sites eligible for the Natura 2000 network upon accession. Equally, Cyprus will have to apply the protection measures required under Directive 79/409/EEC on wild birds upon accession. The Commission, also through its Delegation in Cyprus, will continue to monitor Cyprus' progress in completing the harmonisation process and in establishing the administrative capacity necessary to implement the acquis.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.