EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/614

(2004/C 88 E/0634)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1690/03

by Anders Wijkman (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2003)

Subject: Bushmeat

The Commission is developing an environment manual for development and cooperation projects, called ‘Integrating environment concerns into development and economic cooperation’. The EU has committed itself to integrating the Environment into other areas of policy, an extremely important process.

Currently bushmeat is not included in the manual, even though bushmeat is integral to forest and poverty issues. Development and cooperation projects may have highly significant impacts on poaching and conduits for the illegal trade.

Is the Commission willing fully to integrate bushmeat into the manual?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2003)

Bushmeat is a very important issue. There are estimates that as many as 150 million poor people (one-eighth of the world's poorest) perceive wildlife to be an important livelihood asset (increasingly through tourism development). Where wildlife is declining, poor people adapt, but often at a cost to their livelihoods in terms of reduced income, fewer diversification opportunities and increased vulnerability.

Poverty alleviation being the overarching principle of the Commission development cooperation policy, the Commission will improve the way it integrates bushmeat issues.

Three directions are proposed:

— The environment manual for development and cooperation projects, called ‘Integrating environment concerns into development and economic cooperation’, will be reviewed at the end of 2003 — beginning of 2004, and bushmeat issues will be integrated in this manual.

— Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) that are properly carried out should identify risks and possible mitigation measures in this respect. Strategic Environmental Assessments, which are to be carried out at sectoral level, would be the ideal instruments. The revised manual will ensure that proper attention is given to bushmeat issues in SEA.

— Several projects or programmes financed by Community funds deal with bushmeat issues. Ecofac (Ecosystèmes forestiers d'Afrique centrale), financed under European Development Fund (EDF) regional funds, MIKE (Monitoring illegal killing of elephants) financed by the budget line Β7-6200 and ‘Développement d'un mode de gestion faune dans les grands massifs forestiers d'Afrique Centrale — Projet pilote au nord-est du Gabon’ a new project financed under the Budget line B7-6200 are among those, and results of these projects could serve as case studies and promotion of good practices.

Efforts are also being directed at limiting the trade in illegal bush meat to the Union. For example, a Commission Decision (1) has recently introduced new rules that prevent the personal import of all meat and milk from third countries into the Union. This removes previous derogations that allowed the importation of small consignments of meat and milk for personal use. The introduction of the new rules on personal imports is being supported by a poster campaign in a wide range of languages. The posters are on display at points of entry into the European Union to ensure that all travellers are made aware of the new rules.

(1) Commission Decision 2002/995/EC of 9 December 2002 laying down interim safeguard measures with regard to imports of products of animal origin for personal consumption, OJ L 353, 30.12.2002.