WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2415/97 by Edward KELLETT-BOWMAN to the Commission. Draft Commission Directive adapting to technical progress for the 4th time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC
C 60/130 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 98 Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (4 August 1997) The Commission supported the creation of a Conference on international trade in endangered species (CITES) working group on marine fish species on the condition that it would consider CITES aspects of marine fish conservation and not become active in areas that fall within the competence of the Food and agriculture organization and regional fisheries agreements. A working group of the CITES conference of the parties drafted a version of the proposal that took full account of the above and the resulting new proposal was supported by the Community. It should be pointed out that the proposal aimed to avoid CITES involvement in marine fish species rather than the other way around. In spite of this, the proposal was rejected by the conference of the parties. (98/C 60/217) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2408/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (10 July 1997) Subject: Dogfights For some time now it has been fashionable both in the European Union and other parts of the world to organize fights between animals. A complex network of criminal associations has been reaping substantial profits by organizing large-scale gambling on fights between animals, particularly dogs trained to kill each other. The turnover during the last year for fights of this kind has been calculated at more than 1000 billion lire, with some 5000 dogs being killed in Italy alone by being torn to pieces in the course of these criminal displays. In addition, mafia and criminal organizations are springing up with all the consequences this entails. Will the Commission draw up a directive imposing a total ban on dog fights and call on the Member States to punish severely anyone organizing brutal exhibitions of this kind? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-2995/92 (1). (1) OJ C 86, 26. 3. 1993. (98/C 60/218) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2415/97 by Edward Kellett-Bowman (PPE) to the Commission (11 July 1997) Subject: Draft Commission Directive adapting to technical progress for the 4th time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC The text of the above draft states in paragraph 3 that it has become known that certain of these dangerous substances and preparations in the form of oils classified as presenting an aspiration hazard, when coloured, pose a risk to human health and specifically to the health of young children. Can the Commission please indicate how, when and where such a statement became known, and by whom?