WRITTEN QUESTION P-0359/01 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission. Cat and dog fur trade.
Date: 2001-02-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: domestic animal, hides and furskins industry, import (EU), import restriction, protection of animals

C 187 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

Is Mr Fischler aware of these facts, and has he been in receipt of any protest on the part of the Spanish
Government in this connection?

The fishing fleet has now been forced to remain tied up for fourteen months. Does the Commission intend
to make changes in the negotiating team, so as enable an agreement to be concluded?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2001)

The Commission agreed with the Moroccan authorities to hold a one-day meeting on 25 January 2001 in
order to continue the negotiations on a future fisheries agreement, the previous session having ended on
9 January 2001.

During this meeting, on 25 January 2001, some progress was made and the Moroccan side introduced
new proposals that the Commission needed to examine carefully. Therefore both parties agreed to have
another technical meeting the following week. This explains why the Commission officials returned to
Brussels.

The discussions remain open and both delegations are continuing their efforts to reduce the distance
between their respective positions on the key issues.

(2001/C 187 E/245)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0359/01

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(8 February 2001)

Subject: Cat and dog fur trade

Is the European Union aware that we may face an embarrassing situation recently revealed by undercover
investigators looking into the trade in cat and dog fur from Asia?

At one Asian showroom, the investigators documented life-size tigers made of dog fur (cid:145)groupee(cid:146) as the
Asian merchants call it. Asian representatives told the investigators who posed as businessmen that those
large statues are being sold to hotels and museums in Europe for USD 5 000 each.

Would our tourists be happy to hear that dog and cat fur is being used in our facilities? Would the
Commission please comment on whether it intends to halt this trade before it tarnishes our businesses and
tourism?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2001)

The Commission does not have at his stage precise official information nor any data on imports of cat and
dog furs into the Community.

On the question of whether the Commission intends to stop this trade, it should be recalled that trade
policy is only an outward projection of the internal policy of the EU. According to the information
available, no Member State prohibits the commercial use of such furs. This is why, at this stage, and in the
absence of an internal prohibition, the Commission does not intend to propose a prohibition of imports of
cat and dog furs which would be contestable as discriminatory and an obstacle to the principle of national
treatment.

Nevertheless,
in the light of public concern about the commercial exploitation of cat and dog furs,
including in international trade, the Commission will follow up this question in order to examine whether
it should propose measures at European level, taking into consideration the principle of subsidiarity, and
will report back to the Parliament on the matter.