WRITTEN QUESTION E-1548/03 by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission. Hunting of the black-tailed godwit in France.
Date: 2003-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, bird, environmental protection, hunting regulations, protection of animal life

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/191

(2004/C 11 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1548/03

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Hunting of the black-tailed godwit in France

In some southern European countries there is still widespread hunting of migratory birds. Information
from the website of the French National Office for Hunting www.oncfs.gouv.fr reveals that more than
435 000 lapwings and 115 000 waders, including approximately 20 000 black-tailed godwits, were shot in
France in 2002.

At the same time, elsewhere in Europe, including the Netherlands, vulnerable meadow birds are carefully
protected. This intensive and expensive protection is reflected in active and careful cultivation and pasture.
Despite this, there has been a decline in the black-tailed godwit population in the Netherlands, where the
number of birds has halved over the past ten years, to approximately 45 000 breeding pairs. France is on
the migration route taken by black-tailed godwits that breed in the Netherlands.

The figures for hunting in France show that there is a real threat to European migratory bird populations.

Does the Commission see a link between hunting practices in France and the decline of the black-

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tailed godwit in various parts of Europe, and in the Netherlands in particular?

Does the Commission agree that in France there is no question of wise and sustainable use of green

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space (Wise use, World Conservation Strategy, 1981)?

3.

Do hunting practices in France comply fully with the Birds Directive?

4.

If so, does the Commission consider it necessary to propose changes to the Birds Directive?

How will action be taken to reduce the widespread shooting of migratory birds and halt the decline

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in their numbers?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2003)

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The Black-tailed Godwit is a hunted species only in France and Italy. The extent of the annual bag in
Member States is estimated to be no more than 40 000 birds, which compared to the minimum total
number wintering or passing through Europe (at least 515 000), is a relatively low off-take (c.8 %).

From the draft management plan for the Black-tailed Godwit commissioned by Directorate General (DG)
Environment, it appears that declining habitat quality and loss are considered the major causes of the
decline in Black-tailed Godwit in Europe. According to scientific studies, it is considered that the main
causes of declines are changes affecting breeding habitats. A major cause of modification or loss of wet
grassland habitat formerly used by breeding Black-tailed Godwit has been the changes in agriculture which
have occurred throughout this century, but especially in the last 30 years.

Article 7(4) of Directive 79/409/EEC (the ‘Birds Directive’) (1) requires that the practice of hunting
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complies with the principles of wise use and ecologically balanced control of the species of birds
concerned and that the practice of hunting is compatible with the species conservation status. As with all
Member States, France is in the process of implementing the Directive and putting in place the necessary
measures for wise and sustainable use of green space, including the establishment of Special Protection
Areas (SPAs). However, the Commission considers that this objective has not yet been achieved.

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Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

By way of follow-up to the European Court of Justice ruling in December 2000 condemning France
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for failure to comply with the provisions of Article 7(4) of the Directive in relation to fixing of hunting
seasons, the Commission is in an ongoing dialogue with the French authorities on this matter. There has
been some progress in recent years. As regards, the hunting of the Black-tailed Godwit specifically, which
is a huntable species in France, the hunting season is conformity with the Directive. Within the framework
of the management plan being prepared for this species, there is recognition of the need for improved bag
statistics to determine the impact of hunting on the populations of the species. However, the main
concerns relate to the need for adequate site protection and management throughout the species range.

4.
The Commission is working with Member States and key stakeholder groups to promote sustainable
hunting under the Birds Directive within the framework of a sustainable hunting initiative (details of the
initiative are given on web site of DG Environment at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/
home.htm). This will provide the basis to assist reflections on any possible future modifications of the
hunting provisions of the Directive. The Commission does not presently have plans to amend the
Directive.

5.
In line with the principle of subsidiarity it is the Member States who are responsible for the practical
application of their hunting legislation in accordance with the biological principles of the Directive. The
Commission is committed to ensuring the full respect of the provisions of the Directive and has pursued
legal actions against Member States where necessary.
It is working closely with Member States and
stakeholder groups to define the nature and scale of different problems facing wild bird populations so that
conservation action is based on sound science.

(1) Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2004/C 11 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1549/03

by Toine Manders (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Illegal introduction of a deposit system in Germany

On 1 January 2003 Germany introduced a deposit system on all non-reusable containers for beer,
carbonated soft drinks and waters although there is still no central collection system or central settlement
system. The absence of a system of this kind and thus the obligation and necessity in practice to switch to
refillable containers constitutes a barrier to trade under Community law, discriminates against importers
and is disproportionate. In addition to the absence of any central collection and settlement system, there
have also been complaints about the deposit system itself. In a number of cases the European Commission
has stated that a deposit system is a barrier to trade which can be justified only if the system is an
instrument proportionate to attaining the environmental objectives laid down in Directive 94/62/EC (1).

However, this is not the case here because:

(cid:1) the obligations arising from Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste have already been
fully satisfied in Germany through the green point system of Duales S1.010ystem Deutschland GmbH;

(cid:1) the deposit requirement is the result of failure to meet in the reusable quotas laid down in the German
packaging regulation and is therefore not aimed at collecting more non-reusable packaging but merely
forcing manufacturers and importers to purchase more refillable containers.

Particularly in view of the urgent nature and serious implications of the deposit regulations in Germany,
measures at European level are both desirable and necessary.