European initiatives to safeguard primates

1.2.2017

Question for written answer E-000705-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Frédérique Ries (ALDE)

In an opinion article published on Thursday, 19 January 2017 in the journal Science Advances, 31 primatologists sounded a warning that primates, including apes, monkeys, lemurs and tarsiers, are seriously endangered.

Urgent action needs to be taken, without awaiting the next world conference of the parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) scheduled for 2019 in Sri Lanka, to enable the EU’s voice to be heard.

What diplomatic means does the Union possess to convince the four countries in which two thirds of the world’s 504 known species are concentrated (Brazil, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar) that they must take action, given that 60% of these primates are currently threatened with extinction and 75% are in decline?

Can the Commission inform us whether European funds have been released and/or whether it contributes to the funding of NGOs that promote the protection of the great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orang-utans and gibbons)?