WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1973/97 by Reimer BÖGE to the Commission. Imports of huntsmen's trophies from third countries
10. 2. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 45/133 3. The Commission will contact the Italian authorities to request the particulars necessary to determine whether Community legislation on public procurement was complied with when the contract in question was awarded. In particular, it will request information on the extent to which the consortium comprising EDS Electronic Data Systems Italia S. p. A. and Ferrovie dello Stato S. p. A. fulfils the minimum conditions for participation. On this basis, the Commission will assess whether the present case meets the criteria for instituting proceedings against Italy for failure to fulfil an obligation, as laid down in Article 169 of the EC Treaty. (98/C 45/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1973/97 by Reimer Bo¤ge (PPE) to the Commission (9 June 1997) Subject: Imports of huntsmenís trophies from third countries What Community rules exist on the importation of huntsmenís trophies from third countries? Are such rules applied uniformly in all Member States? Can the Commission confirm that some Member States permit derogations from the Single Market regulation on protection against epizootic diseases in respect of imports of huntsmenís trophies? If so, what form do they take and for how long may they continue to be applied? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1997) The introduction into the Community of hunting trophies is subject to Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (1) and Commission Regulations (EC) No 938/97 and 939/97 of 26 May 1997 (2) on the implementation of that Council Regulation. These regulations entered into force on 1 June 1997 and replace Regulations (EEC) No 3626/82 (3) and 3418/83 (4) that have been in force since 1 January 1984. The Commission is not aware of differences in application of the regulations in the Member States. As far as animal health is concerned, Annex I Chapter 13 of Council Directive 92/118/EEC as amended by Commission Decision 94/466/EC (5), establishes the conditions for the import of game trophies. On the basis of this Directive, Commission Decision 96/500/EC laying down the animal health requirements and the certification or official declaration for the import of game trophies of bird and ungulates not having undergone a complete taxidermy treatment from third countries (6) has been adopted. Therefore, from 1 January 1997 Member States shall authorise the import of game trophies from third countries only if they are accompanied by the appropriate harmonised certificate or official declarations as laid down in the Community legislation. No bilateral derogation to this animal health condition is permitted from that date. (1) OJ L 61, 3. 3. 1997. (2) OJ L 140, 30. 5. 1997. (3) OJ L 384, 31. 12. 1982. (4) OJ L 344, 7. 12. 1983. (5) OJ L 190, 26. 7. 1994. (6) OJ L 203, 13. 8. 1996