WRITTEN QUESTION E-1807/00

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Illegal killing of whales in the Caribbean

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) has reported that this year, whales have once more been hunted illegally in the Caribbean. At the beginning of May a Bryde's whale, which is a protected species, was killed off St Vincent. Hunting of these whales has been prohibited since 1986, and is therefore a breach of the rules laid down by the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

Japan in particular imports large quantities of whale meat from Caribbean waters, further increasing international trade in the meat of this endangered species.

Is the Commission aware of this?

As it is well known that legal possibilities are limited, would it be possible for the Commission to take political measures against activities of this sort?

Is the Commission prepared to approach the EU Committee concerned with CITES with a view to joint action to bring stronger pressure to bear on countries which infringe the IWC Agreement?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2000)

The Commission is aware that certain countries, including those in the Caribbean, continue to carry out some form of whale hunting, often under the pretext of scientific programmes.

The Community is not a member of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and only has the status of observer in that organisation. However, a number of Member States are contracting parties to the IWC. As the Honourable Member will be aware, there is a well-known divergence of opinion amongst the Member States on the issue of whaling. The Community, therefore, does not have an overall policy with regard to whaling. This largely reflects the situation within Member States. However the Community has legislation which indirectly touches upon whales.

One item of Community legislation is Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein(1), which implements the Convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES) as amended. This legislation prevents Community fishermen from hunting whales on the high seas and from unloading their catches in the Community or in any other signatory country.

Another piece of legislation is Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(2). This legislation obliges all Member States to take the requisite measures to establish a system of strict protection for all cetacean species.

The Community does not support any form of hunting for whales on the high seas, nor will it accept any trade in such species. As an observer to the IWC, the Community fully supports the various moratoria recommended within the IWC. However, at this stage and in consideration of its status with regard to the IWC, the Commission itself is not in a position to take any political measures against the activities cited by the Honourable Member. The Commission would nevertheless recommend that, if it is felt appropriate, the eleven Community members of the IWC be contacted with a view to raising this issue and taking it further.

(1) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.