WRITTEN QUESTION E-3525/00 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. US law banning the importing, selling and processing of cat and dog fur.
Date: 2000-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Union, United States, animal skin, animal welfare, domestic animal, hides and furskins industry, protection of animals, trading operation

C 163 E/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

It is up to the governments of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to determine how to fight
2.
cross-border criminality in these regions.
In this context the Commission would like to recall that
Article 29 of the Treaty on European Union calls for closer co-operation between Member States(cid:146) police
and customs services to improve the fight against crime.

3.
The Commission is aware that cross-border drug trafficking is a problem in this border region. It
would therefore be important for the Member States concerned to assure an effective co-operation also in
this area. In the Netherlands, in the police region of south-east Brabant, a special multidisciplinary unit
(Synthetic Drugs Unit) has been established to address the subject of synthetic drugs (e.g. ecstasy).

4.

The Commission does not dispose of information which would enable it to answer this question.

5.
The Commission is of the opinion that neighbouring Member States should co-operate closely on
police matters, in particular in border regions. One working example that can be mentioned in this respect
is the recent co-operation between the police and customs services of Germany and France in the French-
German border region between Luxembourg and Switzerland. The Commission would also like to draw
the attention to the Community programme for police and customs co-operation ((cid:145)OISIN(cid:146)) which provides
financial support to concrete co-operation projects between Member States, and thereby can contribute to
a structural improvement of police co-operation in border areas throughout the Union.

(2001/C 163 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3525/00

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2000)

Subject: US law banning the importing, selling and processing of cat and dog fur

Is the Commission aware that in the US and in Europe there is a growing trade in cat and dog fur which is
processed into furskin?

Is the Commission aware that more and more cat and dog fur is being processed into fur jackets made
from other animals and that the cat and dog fur is processed in such a way that it is barely distinguishable
from other types of fur?

Is the Commission aware that these furs originate not only in Asia but that there is increasing evidence of
illegal hunting of stray cats and dogs in the US and in Europe?

Is the Commission aware that the American Senate has recently adopted a bill (11.R 4868 and HR 4868)
outlawing importing, exporting and selling of cat and dog fur in the US?

Does the Commission not agree that the EU should take similar action because otherwise this trade and
these practices will shift to Europe? When can the European Parliament expect a proposal for a directive
on this question?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

The Community(cid:146)s responsibilities towards animal protection have increased under the recent amendment
of the Treaty on European Union, which includes a Protocol requiring the Community and Member States
to pay full regard to the welfare of animals when drawing up agriculture, transport, single market and
research policies.

Therefore Community policies tend to further the objective of improving protection and respect for the
welfare of animals as sentient beings, having regard to the above mentioned Protocol.

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/153

As far as the situation in the United States is concerned, the Commission is informed that the United States
Government has banned importation of and other commerce in dog and cat fur products (1). The bill states
that an estimated two million dogs and cats are slaughtered and sold annually as part of the international
fur trade, frequently based on deceptive or fraudulent labelling of products to disguise the true nature of
the fur. It amends the Tariff Act of 1930 by adding the prohibition of imports of dog and cat fur into
United States customs territory. Import prohibitions pertain to those subject to United States jurisdiction
and violators are made subject to civil penalties. The Commission services are currently analysing the
United States legislation in detail.

Non governmental organisations have also provided information to the Commission that may indicate that
a trade of cat and dog fur is taking place in Europe, in particular originating from Asia. However, data are
not available to evaluate the importance of this trade neither its evolution within or outside the Union.

The Commission will follow this matter and will initiate appropriate action if and when deemed necessary.

(1) Chapter 3 of HR 4868, the Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000 (signed into law on 9 November and now

Public Law No106-476).

(2001/C 163 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3526/00

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2000)

Subject: Ratification of the OECD convention on corrupt practices by European companies in other

countries

In 1997 twenty-one countries signed an OECD convention on corrupt practices by European companies in
other countries.

Can the Commission say which EU Member States have now ratified the convention and which have not?

Can the Commission give the reasons for delays in ratification by some Member States?

Does the Commission realise that the EU is in a weak position when criticising corruption in Third World
countries if corrupt practices in third countries are still not a criminal offence in several Member States?

Does the Commission realise that if some Member States permit corrupt practices and others do not there
is, to put it cynically, a competitive advantage for some Member States in placing orders in third countries?

What does the Commission intend to do to force those EU Member States which have not yet done so to
ratify the convention as soon as possible?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2001)

To date, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Autria, Sweden, Finland, and the United
Kingdom have ratified the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti-bribery
convention (in force since February 1999). Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are expected to