WRITTEN QUESTION P-0008/00

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

(13 January 2000)

Subject: CITES-negotiations 2000

The next Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will take place in Nairobi in April 2000.

1. A topic that will most likely be discussed at the COP 10 of CITES concerns elephant poaching related to trade in ivory in Asian and African countries. Contradictory information on this issue exists, and

different interests are at stake. At the 1997 COP in Harare a decision was taken to allow three southern African countries to export a limited amount of ivory to Japan. Does the Commission have a position on the CITES policy on elephant poaching for COP 10 at this moment, and on what information is this position based?

2. Consultation is an important part of the European decision-making process. How will the Commission consult with interested parties, such as NGOs, in drawing up its recommendations? How does the Commission take the specific position of developing countries into account in this respect? How will the Commission harmonise the need for development with the worldwide need to protect endangered species?

3. At the time of COP 10 of CITES in 1997 the EU common position was drawn up at the last minute before the Conference, with no time for consultation. The Commission has repeatedly called for increased transparency in international procedures. In order to be able to study the list of endangered species as well as to react to it, the European Parliament needs the Commission to present its recommendations on the listings proposals for the upcoming Conference in good time. Can the Commission guarantee that the proposals will indeed be presented early next year (2000) at the latest?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 2000)

The Commission condemns elephant poaching in both Africa and Asia as this practice undermines international efforts to ensure the sustainable use of wildlife and threatens the conservation of the species. To the extent that this poaching is driven by a demand for international trade, CITES and our own wildlife trade 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) are important instruments in reducing incentives.

The Commission organised a hearing with European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on 17 January 2000 in order to inform the deliberations leading to Commission recommendations for common positions. The position of developing countries on specific proposals is often presented in the text of proposals to amend the CITES appendices and full account is taken of these views. On other issues, the views of developing countries only manifest themselves at the conference itself. Although the primary goal of CITES relates to the conservation of endangered species, the Commission takes the view that this objective is unlikely to be achieved without the support of local people in developing countries where much of the world's biodiversity is to be found.

The Commission makes its CITES conference recommendations as early as possible following the receipt of the proposals, and after consultations with experts from the Member States and European NGOs. The determination of the common position will be made in the Council.

(1) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.