98/487/EC: Council Decision of 13 July 1998 concerning the conclusion of an International Agreement in the form of an Agreed Minute between the European Community and the United States of America on humane trapping standards
Date: 1998-07-13
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: United States, agreement (EU), hides and furskins industry, hunting regulations, international agreement, protection of animals

L 219/24

‹

EN

‹

Official Journal of the European Communities

7. 8. 98

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 13 July 1998

concerning the conclusion of an International Agreement in the form of an
Agreed Minute between the European Community and the United States of
America on humane trapping standards

(98/487/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular
Articles 113 and 100a in conjunction with Article 228(2), first sentence and Article 228(3)
first subparagraph thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the Council’s Decision of June 1996 laying down negotiating directives
and authorising the Commission to negotiate an agreement on humane trapping standards
with Canada, the Russian Federation, the United States and any other interested country,

Having regard to the Council’s Decision of 22 July 1997 approving the Agreement on
international humane trapping standards between the European Community, Canada and
the Russian Federation and calling upon the Commission to intensify its efforts to reach
an agreement with the United States of America that is equivalent to the Agreement with
Canada and the Russian Federation,

Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91 (3), and in particular the second indent of
Article 3(1) thereof, refers to internationally agreed humane trapping standards with which
trapping methods used by third countries that have not prohibited leghold traps must
conform in order for those countries to be able to export pelts and products manufactured
from certain species to the Community;

Whereas the Agreement’s main purpose is to lay down harmonised technical standards
offering a sufficient level of protection to the welfare of trapped animals and governing
both the production and use of traps, and to facilitate trade between the Parties in traps,
pelts and products manufactured from species covered by the Agreement;

(1) OJ C 32, 30. 1. 1998, p. 8.
(2) OJ C 210, 6. 7. 1998.
(3) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91 of 4 November 1991 prohibiting the use of leghold traps
in the Community and the introduction into the Community of pelts and manufactured goods of
certain wild animal species originating in countries which catch them by means of leghold traps
or trapping methods which do not meet international humane trapping standards (OJ L 308, 9. 11.
1991, p. 1).

7. 8. 98

‹

EN

‹

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 219/25

Whereas implementation of the Agreement requires the establishment of a timetable of
testing and certifying the conformity of traps with the standards laid down and for the
replacement of uncertified traps;

Whereas the Agreement in the form of an Agreed Minute attached to this Decision is
consistent with the negotiating directives referred to above; whereas it therefore satisfies
the concept of internationally agreed humane trapping standards referred to in the second
indent of Article 3(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 3254/91;

Whereas the International Agreement in the form of an Agreed Minute between the
European Community and the United States of America on humane trapping standards
should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The International Agreement in the form of an Agreed Minute between the European
Community and the United States of America on humane trapping standards is hereby
approved.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

The President of the Council shall notify to the United States of America the instrument
of conclusion (1).

Article 2

Done at Brussels, 13 July 1998.

For the Council

The President

W. SCH(cid:154)SSEL

(1) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the

European Communities by the General Secretariat of the Council.