WRITTEN QUESTION E-2722/99 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Protection of the Iberian wolf.
C 280 E/112 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (23 February 2000) The Honourable Member will be aware that on 23 April 1998 the Commission issued Recommendation 98/286/EC on banking charges for conversion to the euro (1), which contains some important provisions on transparency. The Commission considers that transparency of conversion or exchange charges is essential to promote competition and thus to arrive at a reduction of those charges. Article 3 of the Recommendation provides that, for conversions or exchanges of currencies in the euro zone, banks and other bodies whose business it is to exchange bank notes (and Bureaux de Change as well) should provide to their customers clear and transparent information before a transaction is effected, namely written information on any charges to be applied. the Commission announced in this Recommendation that Furthermore, intends to monitor the application of this standard of good practice. The results of a study launched by the Commission at the end of 1999 on this subject will be presented in a communication in the first half of 2000. Furthermore, the various aspects of cross-border payments, including the exchange of bank notes, have been dealt with by the Commission in the communication on retail payments in the internal market (2). it Where abuses of transparency requirements have been brought to the attention of the Commission, it has pursued the matter with the national authorities. This has generally resulted in an end to any reported breaches. The above mentioned retail payments communication will provide a further incentive to financial institutions to comply with these provisions on transparency. (1) OJ L 130, 1. 5. 1998. (2) COM(00) 36. (2000/C 280 E/118) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2722/99 by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Protection of the Iberian wolf Members of the environmental group Ciconia in Zamora (Spain) have launched a campaign to protest at the auction of hunting rights for three Iberian wolves in the Culebra hills, as allowed by the Castilla y León regional government since 1997. Quite apart from being in breach of the law passed by the Spanish government listing this animal in the Catalogue of Endangered Species, this measure does not resolve the social tension caused by the lack of compensation for harm caused to livestock. Under Directive 92/43/EEC (1) on habitats, the wolf is classed as a protected species south of the Duero river, and a controlled species to the north of the river. According to experts, the problem caused by the wolf population in Spain (which estimates place at approximately 2000) is one of control, and of perception by different social groups, particularly in rural areas, and first and foremost by herdsmen and livestock breeders. Will the Commission bring pressure to bear on the Spanish authorities to halt the auction of hunting rights for Iberian wolves, as authorised by the Castilla y León regional government? Could the Commission, together with the national authorities, put in place an effective information programme for herdsmen and livestock breeders on the importance of conservation measures for wolves, and a system to provide fair and rapid compensation for the damage they cause? (1) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. 3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/113 Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (22 February 2000) The Spanish wolf population in the North of the Duero River is included on the Annex V of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, as species whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures. The Spanish authorities have adopted exceptional management measures for these populations in the North of the Duero River, such as the possibility to be hunted under specific circumstances. These measures are carried out to avoid too much damage to livestock. Article 14 of Directive 92/43/EEC seems to have been respected. According to information held by the Commission, the Spanish wolf population in the North of the Duero River is increasing. Spain is the Member State with the biggest wolf population. Action plans including compensation for damage, radio-tracking studies and infrastructure impact studies about the populations are ongoing. Furthermore, agri-environmental measures specifically tailored to wolf conservation are being implemented in Castilla y León areas such as Sierra de la Culebra. (2000/C 280 E/119) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2723/99 by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Regeneration of fishing grounds The European Community seeks to conserve the different species present in fishing grounds through the balanced management of resources. However, in spite of this, some traditional Community fishing grounds are experiencing a decline in the fish population. Could the Commission order a scientific study into the possibility of regenerating traditional fishing grounds? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (4 February 2000) Rebuilding of fish populations can essentially be achieved through restocking by artificial means or by allowing enough adult fish to spawn in natural conditions following conservation measures. Restocking by artificial means in the open sea has been generally proved an inefficient method; in a few cases, such as for Baltic salmon, it has induced a risk of extinction for the wild populations. Studies on the rebuilding of fish populations by conservation measures are common in fisheries science, and are carried out mostly under the request of the Commission. These studies include work carried out by the International council for the exploration of the sea (ICES) and its working groups, study groups, committees, and other subsidiary bodies; work carried out by the scientific, technical and economic committee for fisheries (STECF) and its subsidiary bodies; studies in support of the common fisheries policy carried out under budgetary line B2-1810, and studies made following ad hoc requests on the basis of a special need of scientific information. The results of all these studies are available to the Members of the Parliament upon request