WRITTEN QUESTION E-1210/01 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Killing of birds in Cyprus.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, application of EU law, bird, protection of animals

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/91

Regarding freelance staff, following the adoption of Council Regulation (EC, ECSC, Euratom) No 628/2000
of 20 March 2000 amending regulation (EC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 laying down the Staff Regulations
of Officials of the European Communities and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the
Communities (2), the conference interpreters engaged by the Commission are recruited, like those recruited
by the Parliament, in the capacity of auxiliary staff. This new statute ensures the equal treatment of the
auxiliary conference interpreters engaged by the European institutions, in the matter of, inter alia, the
obligatory retirement age set down in the Staff Regulations of officials of the Communities. Consequently,
neither the Commission, nor the Parliament, as European Institutions, can recruit conference interpreters
of more than 65 years old, owing to Article 74 of the conditions of employment of other servants (RAA),
according to which the engagement of the auxiliary agent legally comes to an end at the end of the month
during which he/she reaches the age of 65.

As regards early retirement, the Commission does not apply these provisions to the conference interpreters
whom it recruits.

(1) COM(2000) 200 final.
(2) OJ L 76, 25.3.2000.

(2001/C 350 E/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1204/01

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Authorisation of vaccination against foot and mouth disease

When did the UK Government first formally approach the EU Standing Veterinary Committee about the
possible use of vaccination against foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2001)

The United Kingdom raised the issue of the possible use of vaccination against foot and mouth disease in
the meeting of the Standing Veterinary Committee on 27 March 2001.

On the same day, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sent a fax to the Commission, requesting
the examination of the circumstances under which vaccination of cattle to control foot and mouth disease
might take place in the United Kingdom and the conditions that would be applied, were such vaccination
to proceed.

On 28 March 2001 the Standing Veterinary Committee gave its favourable opinion to a draft Decision on
this issue, which was then adopted by the Commission as Decision 2001/257/EC of 30 March 2001 laying
down the conditions for the control and eradication of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom in
application of Article 13 of Directive 85/511/EEC (1).

(1) OJ L 91, 31.3.2001.

(2001/C 350 E/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1210/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Killing of birds in Cyprus

The Commission will be aware of claims that up to 20 million birds, more than half being European
migratory song birds, are being caught annually in Cyprus on lime sticks or in nets and killed in a brutal
and inhumane manner.

C 350 E/92

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

How does the Commission reconcile the assurances given at the EU-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary
1.
Committee meeting on 26 March 2001 by its representative, James Pond, that the Cypriot authorities are
taking seriously the issue of the enforcement of their own laws against bird-trapping,
(cid:145)and are taking
action(cid:146), with the subsequent total failure of Foreign Minister Kasoulides, in response to a specific question
from myself at the same meeting, to give any assurances or indication whatsoever that the Government of
Cyprus is taking, or intends to take, action to enforce these laws?

How many prosecutions for illegal bird-trapping have taken place in Cyprus each year since EU

2.
accession negotiations began?

3.
Does the Commission regard the statement by Foreign Minister Kasoulides at the JPC meeting that he
(cid:145)did not think law enforcers would turn a blind eye if they saw bird-trapping taking place before their
eyes,(cid:146) as an adequate indication that firm action is being taken by the Cypriot authorities to enforce their
own legislation?

4. What evidence will the Commission require from the Government of Cyprus to confirm that it will
respect both the letter and the spirit of the Habitats and Birds Directives before it agrees to close the
environment chapter of the accession negotiations with Cyprus?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 2001)

The Commission is aware of claims that large numbers of birds are trapped and killed illegally in Cyprus.
The issue has already been raised in the Parliament and has been the subject of several press reports.
Commission officials have discussed the issue with the Cypriot authorities
in consultations on
environmental matters. The practice is illegal in Cyprus and the authorities have informed the Commission
that they would step up efforts for effective enforcement of the law in question.

Through the accession negotiations and other preparations for Union membership, Cyprus is well aware of
the obligations of a Member State in respect of the Community environmental legislation, including that
relating to nature protection. Cyprus, together with the other candidates, is strongly encouraged to respect
this legislation before accession. Cyprus is also party to the Bern Convention on the conservation of
European wildlife and natural habitats.

The Commission is following closely the preparations by the candidate countries for transposing and
implementing Community nature protection legislation (the (cid:145)Habitats Directive(cid:146), Council Directive 92/43/
EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1) and (cid:145)Birds
Directive(cid:146), Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2)), in the
framework of the accession negotiations as part of the environment chapter.

Cyprus, like other candidates, will have to apply the protection measures foreseen in Article 6 (2), (3) and
(4) of the Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora for all
sites included in the list of sites eligible for the Natura 2000 network upon accession. Equally, Cyprus will
have to apply the protection measures required under Directive 79/409/EEC on wild birds upon accession.
The Commission, also through its Delegation in Cyprus, will continue to monitor Cyprus(cid:146) progress in
completing the harmonisation process and in establishing the administrative capacity necessary to
implement the acquis.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.