WRITTEN QUESTION E-0502/03 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Iberian lynx.
Date: 2003-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, Spain, protected species, protection of animal life, wild mammal

C 222 E/210

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) on this issue. The elaboration of such proposals will take
place in the coming months,
involving wide consultation with stakeholders. While the Commission
believes that these measures should aim at improving significantly the way the problem of incidental
cetacean capture is currently addressed, it is impossible at this stage to have a more precise idea on the
exact effect of measures which have not yet been adopted.

According to ICES (2), there is no direct evidence on which to blame the pelagic trawl fisheries for bass for
being the fishery responsible for the numbers of dead, incidentally caught dolphins arriving on beaches in
England and France. In other words, other fisheries than the one for bass are also catching dolphins. ICES
considers that a ban on pelagic trawling would be an arbitrary measure, unlikely to achieve the desired
goal. However,
it also identifies that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive monitoring on the
numerous trawl fisheries active in this region.

At this stage, the Commission does therefore not consider the possibility for introducing an immediate
temporary ban on sea bass fishing. However, the setting of mandatory observer schemes for different
fisheries will certainly be part of the above-mentioned future Commission proposals on this issue.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (cid:1)

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) Namely the report of the ICES Advisory Committee on Ecosystems 2002

(available at http://www.ices.dk/committe/ace/2002/Section-2.pdf), and particularly within its chapter 2.3.3.

(2003/C 222 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0502/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 February 2003)

Subject: Iberian lynx

In view of the threat to the survival of the Iberian lynx, will the Commission take the initiative to develop
a coordinated strategy to secure its survival with the Spanish national and regional Governments?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2003)

Since 1999, Spain has had a National Conservation Programme for the Iberian lynx. The programme
works on both national and international levels, developing projects and undertakings for the conservation
of the lynx. The Iberian Lynx Work Group works both in Spain and in Portugal on priority items
according to the guidelines set in the Conservation Programme.

The Commission has recently initiated a survey into the large carnivores situation in all Member States and
Candidate Countries. When the survey is completed, the next step will be to develop, in co-operation with
those countries, co-ordinated guidelines for large carnivores protection and management in the Union.

(2003/C 222 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0507/03

by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 February 2003)

Subject: Europe-wide introduction of an innovative mounting system for roadside reflector posts

A good system of reflector posts is vital for road safety, since it helps drivers get their bearings, particularly
at night. For drivers who are not familiar with the route, reflector posts are a necessary aid which enables
them to drive safely. A new mounting system for reflector posts makes it possible to halve the height of