WRITTEN QUESTION E-2289/99 by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Whaling in Russia.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/141 wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (1), Member States maintain where possible records of the percentage of specimens of species listed in Annexes A and B to Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97, which were dead on arrival in the Community. The establishment of these percentages has appeared to be difficult at Community level. However, most of the Member States, in order to improve the monitoring of the mortality rate of live animals concerned, are participating now in an investigation programme proposed by the CITES animal committee by which customs involved in inspection of live specimens have to declare mortality at the time of import for a selected number of more frequently traded mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Information provided under this monitoring system should be available as from this year. Information gathered by the Belgian customs authorities during the period 1994-1996 revealed a mortality percentage for all bird species of 3 % (with a mortality rate for parrots of 1 %) and mammals near 0 %. No import restrictions based on the criterion of mortality during transport have been envisaged up to now. (1) OJ L 140, 31. 5. 1997. (2000/C 219 E/178) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2289/99 by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Whaling in Russia According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), between 30 and 50 white whales (belugas) have been killed in the past few months in the Sea of Okhotsk. The blubber and meat were exported to Japan. A further 12 animals were caught alive to be exported to dolphinariums worldwide. Commercial whaling has been prohibited since 1986. Now the Russian government is permitting the hunting of belugas in the Sea of Okhotsk and the export of meat and blubber to Japan. In other words, the trade in products from small whales has begun again after many years. Is the Commission aware of this? If so, what measures does it propose to take? Will the Commission take measures to bring about an immediate end to the import of white whale products and live belugas to Japan? If so, what? Will the Commission take measures against the further killing and capture of white whales by Russia? If so, what? Will the Commission take measures to withdraw export licences and to ensure that all white whales captured alive by Russia are immediately released? If so, what? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (11 January 2000) The Commission is aware of reports on recent white whale hunting by Russian vessels. C 219 E/142 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 Under Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (1) the importation of white whale blubber, meat, live specimens and all other products into the Community for commercial purposes is prohibited. The Commission has no power to take measures to prohibit the killing and capture of white whales by Russia, nor the export of specimens from Russia or import in Japan. (1) OJ L 61, 3. 3. 1997. (2000/C 219 E/179) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2291/99 by Carlos Carnero GonzÆlez (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Future of shipbuilding in Europe On 5 November 1999, the European Trade Union called a four hour strike in the shipbuilding industry, on behalf of the sectorís viability, under the slogan WORK FOR SHIPYARDS: A FUTURE FOR EUROPEí, and on 9 November, the Council of Industry Ministers assessed the situation of European shipbuilding. A two- hour strike had taken place on 27 October in Spain, a country with a long history of major commitment to shipbuilding, in all the yards belonging to the Spanish Shipbuildersí Group, (Grupo Astilleros Espaæoles) to draw attention to their viability, and to protest against the privatisation of Astander by the Sociedad Espaæol de Participaciones Industriales. At the same time, it was announced that the Commission was demanding that the Spanish Government return over 18 billion pesetas granted to the shipbuilding sector as tax credits, claiming that they were state aids. The need to guarantee a future for the shipbuilding industry should be an absolute priority of the European Union, for economic, social and employment reasons. This needs to be achieved by mutual agreement with the trade union leadership, and guarantee, above all, employment in a competitive public sector. Can the Commission answer the following: 1. What measures can it put forward to guarantee the viability of shipbuilding, following the November Council meeting? 2. What steps will it be taking in the wake of the Council meeting of 9 November? 3. 4. Is it maintaining its position vis-à-vis the return of the tax credits in question, and what talks has it held on this subject with the Spanish Government? Is it aware of the privatisation of Astander, and does it seriously believe that dismantling the public sector is the right way to guarantee production and employment? 5. What is itís opinion of the dumping practised by countries like Korea and Japan in this area? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (10 January 2000) The Commission set out its general approach towards improving the competitiveness of the Community shipbuilding industry in its communication Towards a new shipbuilding policyí (1) and the accompanying proposals which gave rise to Council Regulation (EC) No 1540/98 of 29 June 1998 establishing new rules on aids to shipbuilding (2). The Commission believes that that approach remains valid