WRITTEN QUESTION E-1690/03 by Anders Wijkman (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Bushmeat.
Date: 2003-05-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cooperation policy, development aid, environmental impact, illicit trade, impact study, protection of animal life

C 88 E/614

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Article 26 of Council Directive 92/12/EEC of 25 February 1992 on the general arrangements for products
subject to excise duty and on the holding, movement and monitoring of such products (1) authorised
Denmark, Finland and Sweden to apply restrictions on the quantity of excise products that can be brought
into their territory from other Member States by travellers for their own use, without further excise duty
payment. These derogations expire at the end of 2003. This Directive is based on Article 99 (now
Article 93) of the EC Treaty. Any extension of the derogations authorised by Article 26 of this Directive
would require a modification of this provision on the basis of the same Treaty provision and could not be
based upon Articles 30 or 95 of the EC Treaty.

Outside the area of taxation, any non fiscal measure adopted in non-harmonised areas by a Member State
on public health grounds which could result in restricting imports of alcoholic beverages would have to be
assessed on a case-by-case basis in order to decide whether it complies with the conditions set in Article 30
of the EC Treaty, or in Article 95 if the relevant area is already subject to harmonisation measures at
Community level.

(1) OJ L 76, 23.3.1992.

(2004/C 88 E/0634)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1690/03

by Anders Wijkman (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2003)

Subject: Bushmeat

The Commission is developing an environment manual for development and cooperation projects, called
‘Integrating environment concerns into development and economic cooperation’. The EU has committed
itself to integrating the Environment into other areas of policy, an extremely important process.

Currently bushmeat is not included in the manual, even though bushmeat is integral to forest and poverty
issues. Development and cooperation projects may have highly significant impacts on poaching and
conduits for the illegal trade.

Is the Commission willing fully to integrate bushmeat into the manual?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2003)

Bushmeat is a very important issue. There are estimates that as many as 150 million poor people
(one-eighth of the world’s poorest) perceive wildlife to be an important livelihood asset (increasingly
through tourism development). Where wildlife is declining, poor people adapt, but often at a cost to their
livelihoods in terms of reduced income, fewer diversification opportunities and increased vulnerability.

Poverty alleviation being the overarching principle of the Commission development cooperation policy,
the Commission will improve the way it integrates bushmeat issues.

Three directions are proposed:

(cid:1) The environment manual for development and cooperation projects, called ‘Integrating environment
concerns into development and economic cooperation’, will be reviewed at the end of 2003 (cid:1)
beginning of 2004, and bushmeat issues will be integrated in this manual.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/615

(cid:1) Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) that are
properly carried out should identify risks and possible mitigation measures in this respect. Strategic
Environmental Assessments, which are to be carried out at sectoral
level, would be the ideal
instruments. The revised manual will ensure that proper attention is given to bushmeat issues in SEA.

(cid:1) Several projects or programmes financed by Community funds deal with bushmeat issues. Ecofac
(Ecosystèmes forestiers d’Afrique centrale), financed under European Development Fund (EDF) regional
funds, MIKE (Monitoring illegal killing of elephants)
financed by the budget line B7-6200 and
‘Développement d’un mode de gestion faune dans les grands massifs forestiers d’Afrique Centrale (cid:1)
Projet pilote au nord-est du Gabon’ a new project financed under the Budget line B7-6200 are among
those, and results of these projects could serve as case studies and promotion of good practices.

Efforts are also being directed at limiting the trade in illegal bush meat to the Union. For example, a
Commission Decision (1) has recently introduced new rules that prevent the personal import of all meat
and milk from third countries into the Union. This removes previous derogations that allowed the
importation of small consignments of meat and milk for personal use. The introduction of the new rules
on personal imports is being supported by a poster campaign in a wide range of languages. The posters
are on display at points of entry into the European Union to ensure that all travellers are made aware of
the new rules.

(1) Commission Decision 2002/995/EC of 9 December 2002 laying down interim safeguard measures with regard to

imports of products of animal origin for personal consumption, OJ L 353, 30.12.2002.

(2004/C 88 E/0635)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1706/03

by Gabriele Stauner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 May 2003)

Subject: Medstat and Medstat II programmes

Since 1996 the Commission has made an amount of EUR 50 million available from the Community
budget for the Medstat and Medstat II programmes.

This money was to be used to support and promote the statistical systems of partner countries in the
Mediterranean area.

Can the Commission provide a detailed list of the beneficiaries of these funds, showing how much was
paid in each individual case?

Can the Commission say who takes the decisions on the allocation of funds under this programme and on
the basis of what criteria and procedures the beneficiaries are selected?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2003)

Medstat (cid:1) Euro-Mediterranean Statistical cooperation (cid:1) Phase 1: EUR 20 million

Medstat (cid:1) Euro-Mediterranean Statistical cooperation (cid:1) Phase 2: EUR 30 million

Medstat Phase 1

The Medstat programme does not concern direct support but provision of technical assistance, transfer of
know how, harmonization and exchange of data, etc.