WRITTEN QUESTION E-0084/02 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Mahogany trade.
Date: 2002-01-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, developing countries, forest certification, import, sustainable forest management, tropical forest, tropical wood

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/141

(2002/C 172 E/145)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0081/02

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 January 2002)

Subject: Drugs in prisons

According to a recent report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, more
than 50 % of prison inmates in the EU take drugs. The report reveals wide differences between the Member
States. For example, Portugal and Spain have the highest levels of consumption, Austria the lowest.

Given that the fight against drugs is a top EU priority, will the Commission say what measures it has taken
to date to combat this particular aspect of the problem and with what results? Does its action plan on
drugs (2000-2004) include practical measures to combat drug trafficking in prisons?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2002)

The annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) states
that ‘problem drug users and/or intravenous drug users … may represent up to 50 % of the prison
population in some areas’. As the Honourable Member points out, the percentages for drug use among
prison inmates vary considerably from one Member State to another.

Prison policy is a matter for the Member States. In its Drugs Strategy for 2000-2004, the Union stresses
the importance of developing preventive measures applicable to the prison environment, alternatives to
imprisonment and special facilities for addicted prisoners.

Furthermore, on the basis of a Commission proposal, the Feira European Council on 19 and 20 June 2000
approved the Action Plan on Drugs (2000-2004) (1), in which Member States are encouraged to intensify
their efforts to provide drug prevention and treatment services and, where appropriate, measures to reduce
health related damage for inmates while in prison and on their release.

On the basis of contributions from the Member States, the Commission will carry out an evaluation of the
entire action plan on drugs at mid-term (end-2002) and at the end of the period concerned (end-2004). It
will give careful attention to the prison policy aspect and will, where appropriate, consider any initiatives
that might be taken in this field.

(1) COM(2001) 301, 8.6.2001.

(2002/C 172 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0084/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 January 2002)

Subject: Mahogany trade

What action is the Commission taking to curb the importation into the EU of mahogany cut by loggers
without regard to the sustainability of the source?

What action is being taken to encourage the development of sustainable tropical hardwood resources?

C 172 E/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

What efforts are made to ensure that Member States subject to rigorous scrutiny importers’ claims that
mahogany and other hardwoods come from sustainable sources?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2002)

The Community aims at promoting sustainable forest management and at promoting trade in forest
products originating from sustainably managed forests.

More specifically, the Commission has amended Annex C to Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 (1)
following the listing of Swietenia macrophylla (big-leaf mahogany) by certain range states on Annex III of
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This means
that Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru have to issue export permits when exporting logs, sawn
woods and veneer sheets and given that Costa Rica has requested the listing of all populations of big-leaf
mahogany in the Americas, other range states have to issue certificates of origin. For introduction into the
Community an import notification is also required.

The Commission is promoting the development of sustainable use of tropical forest wood resources in the
frame of its environment and forest development co-operation programmes. A considerable number of
actions funded under both the ‘bilateral’ co-operation instruments (government to government) and the so
called ‘thematic’ budget lines (where civil society organisations play a greater role) support efforts recently
undertaken in developing countries to introduce sustainable forest management systems and certification
of timber products. Among the most significant actions that the Commission has been supporting it is
worthwhile mentioning the Group of seven most industrialised countries Pilot Program to Conserve the
Brazilian Rain Forest, a comprehensive programme which includes, in addition to a specific sustainable
forest management component, support at policy level and capacity building in the area of monitoring of
land use, with particular emphasis on illegal deforestation. Another significant programme is the
Community-Indonesia Forest Programme, started in 1992, which contains projects on forest inventory,
fire prevention and control, sustainable forest management, and two large integrated projects,
for
conservation and sustainable forest management respectively.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by

regulating trade therein, OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.

(2002/C 172 E/147)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0085/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 January 2002)

Subject: Public access to Europe’s wild areas

Is it the intention of the Commission to promote legislation to extend or protect the public’s right of
access to Europe’s wild areas, and particularly to special areas of conservation within the Natura 2000
programme (where this is possible without risk or damage to species requiring protection)?

Is the Commission aware of any non-legislative initiatives being taken jointly by Member States to promote
this objective?