WRITTEN QUESTION P-3925/03 by Raina Echerer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Cat and dog furs — internal market.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common commercial policy, domestic animal, hides and furskins industry, protection of animals, trade regulations

C 78 E/336

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

The Commission is fully aware of the difficulties mentioned by the Honourable Member concerning access
for foreign children to sporting activities organised by certain federations not only in Spain but also in
other Member States.

As some aspects mentioned by the Honourable Member come under Community law, the Commission is
currently examining the regulations of sporting federations in all Member States in order to check whether
they comply with the principle of non-discrimination. In fact, significant differences exist and the role
given to the federations by the public authorities varies greatly from one Member State to another.
It should be noted, however, that Community legislation concerning conditions of entry and residence
(Directive on the status of long-term residents, adopted on 25 November 2003) is intended to grant equal
treatment in terms of access to goods and services to third-country nationals legally resident in the
European Union. This does not apply to foreigners in an illegal situation.

Once it has examined these regulations, the Commission will announce what action is to be taken if
discrimination that is incompatible with Community law, and with the Charter of Fundamental Rights to
which the Honourable Member refers, is taking place in a number of Member States.

(2004/C 78 E/0354)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3925/03

by Raina Echerer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Cat and dog furs (cid:1) internal market

Given the fact that there is no official production and marketing of cat and dog furs in the EU Member
States, will the Commission propose a European ban on the domestic production, marketing and use of
dog and cat furs? If not, can the Commission explain what would prevent such an initiative?

Is the Commission aware of the fact that one Member State has recently introduced a national ban on
trade in dog and cat furs, and nine Member States have expressed their wish to introduce this ban given
that currently those products are available, unregulated, on the EU market?

In relation to the concern about possible WTO consequences, is the Commission aware of the fact that the
US has already introduced such a ban covering domestic trade, production, and imports from third
countries?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2004)

The Commission has been made aware of
the possible importation of cat and dog furs into the
Community. The Commission has also been informed about measures taken by some Member States and
the United States to ban the trade in, and importation of, such furs.

The issue was also raised in the Agriculture Council on 17 November 2003. In replying to the request
the
from Member States to come forward with proposals for Community rules,
Commission responsible for Health and Consumer Protection made clear that States are entitled, while
respecting the general rules laid down in the EC Treaty, to introduce their own measures. The Commission
is monitoring the situation in order to evaluate the possibility to take initiatives to address the issue at
Community level.

the Member of