WRITTEN QUESTION P-2580/00 by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission. Implementation of the Birds Directive.
Date: 2000-07-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Austria, Finland, France, Greece, application of EU law, competence of the Member States, hunting regulations, protection of animal life

C 89 E/210

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

Situations may arise in which certain homeopathic medicines are not marketed in all the Member States,
with the result that some patients are unable to obtain them, even with a duly completed medical
prescription. The same applies to all types of medicine.

It should be borne in mind that patients are free to travel with medicines intended for their personal use.

Regarding doctors, Council Directive 93/16/CEE of 5 April 1993 to facilitate the free movement of doctors
and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications (2)
defines neither doctors(cid:146) field of activity nor the types of treatment or therapy which they may apply. These
in the absence of any other relevant legislation, therefore fall within the competence of the
matters,
Member States.

As regards health professionals other than doctors (3), where a person other than a doctor is allowed to
practise homeopathy in a Member State, Council Directives 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general
system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education
and training of at least three years(cid:146) duration (4) and 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general
system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC (5),
do not harmonise the conditions of training or regulate access to or pursuit of the activities in question.
This matter therefore falls within the competence of the Member States.

(1) OJ L 297, 13.10.1992.
(2) OJ L 165, 7.7.1993.
(3) And other than general nurses, dental practitioners, midwives, veterinary surgeons and pharmacists, these being
professions covered by specific Directives whose contents are broadly similar to the content of the (cid:145)doctors(cid:146)
Directive.

(4) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989.
(5) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.

(2001/C 89 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2580/00

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(25 July 2000)

Subject: Implementation of the Birds Directive

The European Parliament recently received 2,2 million signatures of citizens from all countries of Europe.
These citizens are extremely concerned about the persistence of hunting practices that do not respect the
conservation requirements of European legislation on the protection of wild birds.

Can the Commission provide an overview of the actual implementation of Article 7(4) of the Birds

1.
Directive (79/409/EC) (1)?

2.
Hunting during return migration is still practised in some Member States, notably France (February),
Finland (seaducks), Greece (February), and Austria (woodcock). What steps has the Commission taken to
rectify these breaches of Article 7(4) of the Birds Directive and what steps are being planned?

3.
Does the Commission share the view that the new hunting law in France (28 June 2000 and the
decrees) does not comply with the Birds Directive because of its authorisation of night hunting and
because of the insufficient opening and closing dates?

4.
In the United States, federal framework regulations ensure that hunting is prohibited from 20 January
until 1 October. Does the Commission share the view that a Europe-wide opening and closing date of the
hunting seasons, adapted to the latest and earliest species respectively, would serve legal certainty,
implementation and enforcement in Member States and candidate member states?

5.

Is the Commission prepared to provide a clear guideline to the Member States?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/211

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 2000)

The implementation of Article 7.4 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation
of wild birds falls under the exclusive competence of Member States. The practical arrangements for
hunting are set by national, regional and even local legislation. It is rather difficult to provide an overview
of the implementation of this Article in the framework of a written question. The Commission would
therefore invite the Honourable Member to consult the last published report from the Commission on the
application of Directive 79/409/EEC (cid:129) update for 1993-1995 based on information supplied by the
Member States on the application of national measures adopted pursuant to the Directive (1).

When the Commission has evidence that hunting practices in a Member State, including the setting of
hunting periods, are not in conformity with Article 7.4, it will normally open an infringement file in order
to assess any allegation within the framework of Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty. As far as
national hunting periods are concerned, infringement files have been opened for France (case before the
Court of justice) and Greece (reasoned opinion delivered on 28 July 2000).

The Commission at this stage cannot take a position on the new hunting law and regulations in France
since the French authorities have only recently transmitted the texts to the Commission.

Taking into consideration the principle of subsidiarity, the extensive geographical area of the Community,
the diversity of biological and ecological characteristics across Europe and the different economic and
recreational requirements recognised in the Directive, the Directive does not fix opening or closing dates
for hunting. The Commission considers that the provisions of the Directive are suitable for ensuring that
the practice of hunting is compatible with the conservation of wild birds.

Since the adoption of Directive 79/409/CEE, the Commission has produced and supported several studies
and guidelines to assist Member States in their implementation of the Directive. This technical and
scientific work is carried out with the framework of the ORNIS Committee and its scientific working
group.

(1) COM(2000) 180 final.

(2001/C 89 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2588/00

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Stable currency markets

In the light of unwarranted speculation against the Euro and other currencies, what plans does the EU have
to stabilise currency markets and make them accountable for their actions?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Article 111 (ex Article 109) of the EC Treaty stipulates that the Council may, acting unanimously on a
recommendation from the European Central Bank (ECB) or from the Commission and after consulting the
Parliament, conclude formal agreements on an exchange rate system for the euro. There are currently no
plans to suggest such a formal arrangement between the euro and major international non-Community
currencies. While such an arrangement might stabilise international currency markets, the monetary
policies, as well as other economic policies of participants would be submitted to external targets which
might interfere with the achievement of domestic objectives such as price stability and high employment.