WRITTEN QUESTION E-2421/03 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Bullfrogs.
Date: 2003-07-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, competence of the Member States, illicit trade, import (EU), import restriction, protection of animal life

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/489

(2004/C 84 E/0567)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2421/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(21 July 2003)

Subject: Bullfrogs

According to nature conservation associations, large colonies of bullfrogs are threatening the fauna in
Belgium. Given that the import of these animals has been prohibited since 1997, it is highly likely that
they are being imported under another name. According to nature conservation organisations, sellers use
the term ‘giant frog larvae’ and other names in order to smuggle bullfrogs into Europe and to sell them at
garden centres and markets. These frogs are driving out native species.

Is the European Commission aware that, despite the EU ban, bullfrogs are still being imported into Europe?

What measures is the European Commission taking in order to tackle this illegal trade?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2003)

The Commission is not aware that bullfrogs are being smuggled into Europe under other names where
they are sold to garden centres and markets. A recent study carried out for the Commission on the
application of Union wildlife trade regulations in relation to species which form an ecological threat to
Union fauna and flora concludes that American bullfrogs ‘appear to be no longer sold for garden ponds’.
The Commission has not received any information on illegal imports of bullfrogs from other sources
either.

if the
Combating the smuggling of animals is mainly the responsibility of Member States. However,
Commission receives relevant information on illegal trade in a species listed on the annexes of Council
Regulation 338/97 (1), it can draw Member States’ attention to matters whose investigation it considers
necessary.

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for this information and will
competent Belgian authorities.

transmit

it

to the

(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.

(2004/C 84 E/0568)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2431/03

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission

(22 July 2003)

Subject: HIV/AIDS situation in Central Asian countries

According to the United Nations, its specialised agencies and non-governmental organisations active in the
field of harm reduction, HIV is spreading rapidly through the Central Asian countries. While the number
of HIV cases remains small, it has grown exponentially in the past four to five years primarily through
injecting drug use (IDU). In Uzbekistan there were almost as many new HIV cases reported in the first six
months of 2002 as in the whole of the previous decade; injecting drug users (IDUs) accounted for 90 % of
these cases. Neighbouring Kyrgyzstan reported four HIV cases in 1996; by the end of 2002 there were
825 cases, 82 % among IDUs. In Kazakhstan, IDUs comprise 87 % of the 2 870 reported HIV cases and in
Tajikistan they comprised 73 % of the 45 registered cases. These statistics, however, do not indicate true
HIV prevalence rates in the region, which are estimated to be up to ten times higher than those officially
reported. Underreporting is caused by poor epidemiological surveillance.