WRITTEN QUESTION P-2365/02 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission. Slaughter of baby seal pups on the White Sea, Russia.
Date: 2002-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Russia, protection of animal life, seal

C 242 E/18

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

9.10.2003

A few weeks ago, Slovakia’s Supreme Court quashed a decision on a merger between several breweries and
referred it to the competition authority (Protimonopolny Urad). The stated reason was apparently that
market shares had not been calculated correctly. Even before the original decision, concern had repeatedly
been expressed about the substantial degree of concentration within the Slovakian beer market.

How does the Commission intend to provide the support required to ensure that Slovakia applies all
relevant national competition law provisions and procedures in accordance with EU law?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2002)

The Commission is monitoring the alignment with and implementation of Community competition rules
in Slovakia, both in the context of the Europe Agreement and in relation to the on-going Union accession
process. As far as legislation is concerned, the Slovak Act on the Protection of Competition covers the
main principles of Community antitrust rules regarding restrictive agreements, abuse of dominant position
and merger control. This Act was substantially amended in February 2001, after consultations with the
Commission. The Act in its amended form makes the Slovak legislative framework for anti-trust, including
mergers, to a large extent compatible with the substantive competition provisions of the acquis.

As for administrative capacity, the Anti-Monopoly Office is the competition authority responsible in
Slovakia for the application of the national competition law provisions and procedures in accordance with
Community law. The Commission finds that this office is functioning well, with a good track record and a
continued high level of staff training. In order to support the Slovak authorities in properly applying the
relevant competition rules, the Commission frequently provides the Slovak authorities with technical
assistance on an ad hoc basis.

(2003/C 242 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2365/02

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(26 July 2002)

Subject: Slaughter of baby seal pups on the White Sea, Russia

Will the Commission please state how many baby seal pups were clubbed to death on the White Sea in
the year 2001? Further, will the Commission please undertake to raise the matter with the Russian
authorities at the earliest opportunity?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 August 2002)

The treatment of baby seals in the White Sea has been an ongoing concern in recent years. The
Commission has raised the issue with the Russian authorities on a number of occasions in the context of
its Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, and will continue to do so.

The Commission has no information about the numbers of seal pups which have died in the White Sea,
nor about the reasons for such deaths. The Russian authorities have been approached, but have so far
indicated that they themselves do not have this information.