WRITTEN QUESTION E-2972/97 by Robert Sturdy (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Regulation of cormorant populations in the EU

The European Commission has removed the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis from Annex I to Directive 79/409/EEC ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. )). This decision has freed Member States from taking special measures to conserve its habitat. Serious damage to fish stocks from growing inland cormorant populations, highlighted in Parliament's Resolution B4-0138/96 ((OJ C 65, 4.3.1996, p. 158. )), will continue. Despite a now very favourable conservation status, the necessary national regulation of cormorant populations is still restricted by the conditions governing derogations under the Bird Conservation Directive.

Mrs Bjerregaard told Mr Moscovici on 19 November 1996 that the Commission has been monitoring work, initiated in Denmark and the Netherlands under the Bonn Convention, on an international management plan for the species Phalacrocorax carbo.

What action is foreseen to implement such a plan, and will it include measures in respect of the British subspecies Phalacrocorax carbo carbo?

Should both types of cormorant now be added to Annex II to the Bird Conservation Directive as an urgent interim measure to reduce further damage to fish stocks by facilitating regulation by Member States, in the interest of ecological balance (Article 7(4) of the Directive)?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1997)

The international management plan for the great cormorant, being prepared at the initiative of Denmark and the Netherlands, is yet not complete. According to recommendation 5.3. adopted in the last meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on migratory species (Bonn Convention) in April 1997, this work should be finalized before the end of 1997, and should focus initially on the subspecies phalacrocorax carbo sinensis. Management actions taken by the Member States should comply with the provisions of Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds ((As amended, most recently by Directive 97/49/EC of 29.7.1997, OJ L 223, 13.8.1997. )). In this context, the Commission will continue to encourage cooperation and solidarity between Member States, particularly within the framework of the 'ORNIS' committee established under Article 16 of this Directive.

As with Directive 79/409/EEC, it is the responsability of Member States to implement measures and action agreed in the framework of such a management plan. With regard to the Atlantic subspecies phalacrocorax carbo carbo in the United Kingdom the Commission would therefore recommend the Honourable Member to make contact with the national conservation authorities responsible for this matter.

The Commission is not currently considering proposing the inclusion of the great cormorant phalacrocorax carbo in Annex II of the Birds Directive. Such a proposal was not requested by the Member States during the discussions leading to the recent amendment of the Directive to remove phalacrocorax carbo sinensis from Annex I. The Commission continues to recommend to the Member States the appropriate and full use of derogations provided for under Article 9 of the Birds Directive.