WRITTEN QUESTION E-2053/98

by Elmar Brok (PPE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Numbers of wild geese resting and wintering in Germany

Over the past 20 years or more, numbers of wild geese resting and wintering in Germany and other European countries have increased significantly: three- or fourfold. The reasons lie in better provisions concerning protection of breeding areas, changes in migratory behaviour, the availability of ample food, and in some cases restrictions on shooting.

According to an estimate by the German Hunting Association, the damage caused to farming by wild geese in the European Union can currently be valued at between DM 8 and 10 million per annum. The associated economic and ecological problems, including for example overgrazing of natural plant communities, make it necessary to regulate such wild fauna populations.

1. Is the Commission aware of this situation, or does its assessment differ?

2. Is the Commission considering initiating measures against the growth in the goose population?

3. National wild goose management already exists in Germany and other European countries. It serves to solve problems caused by fauna - in this case wild geese - living in the wild. Could the Commission support and promote these measures?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 1998)

1. The Commission is aware that goose populations wintering and staging in Europe have significantly increased during the past 20 years. However this is not the case for all species. Several goose species, including the globally threatened Anser erythropus and Branta ruficollis, are still in an unfavourable conservation status. Any management of goose populations must therefore be fully in accordance with the conservation status and requirements of the species.

2. It is the responsibility of the Member States to manage wild bird populations in accordance with the requirements of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(1). They are best placed to deal with the regulation of wild goose populations including issues concerning their interactions with agriculture and other interests.

3. The Commission is in favour of Member States developing management plans as a framework in which to conserve and manage wild goose populations while assuring their favourable conservation status. The Commission has supported the development of European action plans for certain endangered wild geese species under Council Regulation (EC) 1404/96 of 15 July 1996 amending Regulation (EEC) 1973/92 establishing a financial instrument for the environment (Life)(2). Under Council Regulation (EEC) 2078/92 of 30 June 1992 on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside(3) possibilities exist to encourage farmers to manage agricultural land to benefit the environment and a few programmes are designed to accommodate wild geese. In particular, measures exist to manage grazing land and certain arable crops in order that geese may winter and feed from the remains of the crop after harvest. However, measures to compensate farmers for crop damage by geese are not accepted under the agri-environment programmes. Agri-environment programmes are developed by regional or national authorities according to the environmental needs and potential.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2) OJ L 181, 20.7.1996.

(3) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.