WRITTEN QUESTION E-0023/04 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Inadequate information to the Commission concerning the Bothnia Line.
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Sweden, common transport policy, disclosure of information, rail network

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/751

The above Regulation goes further than CITES in imposing strict controls on the importation of Annex B
species. Under these stricter measures, the importation of certain species can be suspended if it is judged to
be unsustainable. There is also a requirement that live animals be transported in a humane manner.
In addition, the import of certain species from all countries of origin can be suspended if they are at high
risk of mortality during transport or premature mortality in captivity. In fact, this EU legislation which
implement CITES is amongst the most comprehensive of its kind in the world.

All wild bird species naturally occurring in the European territory of the Member States of the European
Union are protected under Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild
birds (2) (hereafter ‘Birds Directive’). In order to prevent commercial
interests from exerting a possible
harmful pressure on exploitation levels, the Directive imposes a general ban on commercialization, with
the exception of a small number of species listed in Annex III of the Directive, where commercialization
may be permitted if the birds are legally acquired.

With regard to the question of a trade ban for all European wild birds, the Commission would refer the
Honourable Member to the existing prohibition under the above-mentioned Birds Directive. However, in
the case of imported birds, the various aspects of the effectiveness of the Community legislation on trade
in wildlife and its compliance with the principle of sustainable use of wildlife must be taken into account.
The latter principle is considered to be a better solution for conservation of wildlife by many authorities
worldwide than a ban on all
international trade in birds listed under CITES. It is the Commission’s
conviction that the CITES Convention offers an effective tool to bring the concept of sustainable use of
wildlife into practice. An outright ban, on the other hand, would simply encourage exporting countries to
switch to other less sustainable forms of land use and would not be in the best interests of the species
concerned. Most probably, it would also encourage smuggling and circumventions because of the absence
of a link to the socio-economic aspects embedded in the concept of sustainability.

(1) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2004/C 84 E/0846)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0023/04

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Inadequate information to the Commission concerning the Bothnia Line

The Commission has approved the Swedish Government’s application to extend the Bothnia Line
eastwards, which gave the journey time and operation of the line as ‘compelling reasons’ for exploiting the
biggest delta in northern Europe, a classified Natura 2000 area.

Even before the opinion was delivered last spring, the National Rail Administration had economised on
extending the line eastwards, thereby invalidating the ‘compelling reasons’ for the project. According to
Chef de Cabinet Rolf Annerberg, the Commission has not been provided with this information. The
government has authorised the line and the savings. Is the Commission satisfied with the inadequate
information provided by the government?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2004)

The Commission has not been informed of any changes in the planning of Botniabanan that would
invalidate the compelling reasons which justified the positive opinion for the project. It will ask the
Swedish authorities about
the changes in the project development referred to. The
Commission will inform the Honourable Member about the outcome of the further inquiries.

the nature of