WRITTEN QUESTION No. 455/96 by Philippe MONFILS to the Commission. Leghold traps
Date: 1996-02-29
Institutions: European Parliament, MONFILS
Subjects: application of EU law, economic consequence, ethnic group, hides and furskins industry, hunting regulations, international convention, protection of animals, wildlife













EUR-Lex - 91996E0455 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91996E0455

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 455/96 by Philippe MONFILS to the Commission. Leghold traps  


Official Journal C 217 , 26/07/1996 P. 0046 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0455/96 by Philippe Monfils (ELDR) to the Commission (29 February 1996)Subject: Leghold traps1. Will the Commission state the legal basis for its decision to further postpone the entry into force of Regulation 3254/91 ((OJ L 308, 9.11.1991, p. 1. )) prohibiting the use of leghold traps and the introduction into the Community of the furs of animals caught by means of such traps?2. What practical action does the Commission intend to take in response to the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 14 December 1995, precisely on the need for a study to be conducted by international, independent experts to assess the real economic damage which the ban on fur imports might cause?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (26 April 1996)1. In so far as it prohibits the use of leghold traps in the Community by 1 January 1996 at the latest, Regulation (EEC) 3254/91 has already entered into force. However, in so far as it relates to restrictions on fur imports, the Regulation cannot, in the Commission's view, be considered to have entered into force, since it has not proved possible for the Commission to make the necessary determination mentioned in Article 3. The Commission has advised Member States accordingly.At the same time, the Commission has proposed amendments ((COM(95) 737 final. )) to the Regulation's provisions on fur imports to take account of negotiations with third countries which have the aim of promoting humane trapping methods. Articles 113 and 130s of the EC Treaty form the legal basis for these proposed amendments.2. The Commission understands from his reference to the Parliament's resolution that the Honourable Member is specifically concerned about indigenous peoples in North America.The proposed amendment to Regulation (EEC) 3254/91 envisages an exemption from import restrictions on furs or fur products derived from trapping by indigenous peoples. This provision was introduced in response to international commitments accepted by the Community in regard to such peoples, in particular in the 22nd principle of the Rio Declaration, Chapter 28 of Agenda 21 and Article 8(j) of the Convention on biodiversity.Against this background, the Commission does not consider it necessary to have a specific study on the possible economic effects of import restrictions on indigenous peoples. Nonetheless, the Commission estimates that, in the light of available evidence, the effects would be potentially important for indigenous peoples in Canada, where some 40% of fur trappers are of indigenous background. The proportion would be smaller in the Russian Federation and the United States with the possible exception of Alaska.