WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2693/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Seal culling in the White Sea
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: Russia, animal skin, hides and furskins industry, import restriction, marine mammal, protected species, protection of animal life, report, scientific research, slaughter of animals

17. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 82/129

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1997)

The project in question is managed by the authorities of the Member State. The Commission has taken up with
them the matter raised by the Honourable Member and will provide a substantive reply as soon as possible.

(98/C 82/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2693/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Seal culling in the White Sea

The Commission has previously advised me that Directive 83/129/EEC (1) bans the import of skins of certain seal
pup species (harp seals and other) and products derived from them, with the aim of putting a stop to the killing of
baby seals.

However, given the fact that over 30 000 seal pups continue to be slaughtered in the White Sea areas of Russia
and  given  your  failure  to  provide  me  with  the  results  of  the  scientific  studies  carried  out  by  the  Russian
authorities, reportedly carried out in 1995, what action does the Commission now intend to take?

Given the total lack of progress by the Commission, has the time now come for the Commission to be a little
more assertive in its dealings with the Russian authorities?

What evidence indicates that the (cid:145)scientific studies(cid:146) were even conducted? Were any PHARE funds utilized for
this purpose? How long is the Commission going to wait and how many more seal pups will be killed before
more urgent representations and action are taken?

What action is the Commission planning to take?

(1)  OJ L 91, 9.4.1983, p. 30.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 1997)

The Commission(cid:146)s request to obtain the results of the scientific study referred to by the Honourable Member has
so far not been granted. The Commission has no information whether such a study was actually conducted. It has
not financially contributed to studies on seal populations in the White Sea. In view of the fact that Directive
83/129/EEC effectively prohibits the import into the Community of pelts of whitecoat pups of harp seals, the
Commission does not intend to take further action.

(98/C 82/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701/97

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Double premiums on supplementary pensions

In its additional communication of 10 December 1996 on petitions Nos 734/93 and 1080/94, the Commission
says that the (cid:145)Contribution Sociale Ge·ne·ralise·e(cid:146) (CSG) in France must be regarded as a social premium within
the  meaning  of  Regulation  1408/71 (1).  This  premium  cannot  therefore  be  levied  on  Dutch  citizens  living  in
France  whose  pensions  are  subject  to  Dutch  legislation.  However,  the  Commission  refers  in  this  respect  to
decisions  of  the  Court  of  Justice  to  the  effect  that  Regulation  No  1408/71  does  not  apply  to  supplementary
pensions.