Compte rendu in extenso des débats

Jeudi 16 mars 2017 - Strasbourg

7.2. Devoir de diligence relatif aux chaînes d’approvisionnement pour les importateurs de certains minerais et métaux originaires de zones de conflit ou à haut risque (A8-0141/2015 - Iuliu Winkler)

Explicații orale privind votul

  Jiří Pospíšil (PPE). – Pane předsedající, já jsem podpořil tuto zprávu, která upravuje návrh nařízení, který v zásadě obsahuje jakousi formu autocertifikace nebo autoregulace dovozců nerostných surovin ze zemí, kde probíhají občanské války nebo je tam výrazně poškozováno životní prostředí. Já si myslím, že ten systém je velmi dobrý, protože je za prvé postaven na dobrovolnosti, není to žádná byrokratická zátěž, která omezuje samotné dovozce, a je postaven na principu, že dovozci jako firmy, které často sídlí v EU, by měli mít zájem nejen na zisku, ale i na morálce svého působení, a proto je velmi dobré to, že nařízení obsahuje tzv. seznam zodpovědných dovozců, kteří tak budou moci jasně říci, že jsou obsaženi na tomto seznamu a že tedy jejich podnikání nenese jenom aspekty ekonomické, ale i aspekty morální.

  Doru-Claudian Frunzulică (S&D). – Mr President, thanks to our efforts, we have made sure that products sold in the EU do not fuel armed militias or foster human rights violations in conflict areas. We have also responded to public and consumer pressure. Consumers want to be sure that the everyday items they buy are not fuelling armed conflict and human rights abuses. Through tough negotiations and with the support of European civil society, we have ensured that the vast majority of minerals and metals imported in the EU will be covered by the regulation, cutting off a vital source of income for warlords whilst not imposing additional burdens on new small businesses.

Although this agreement is a huge step forward, there is still a long way to go to fully clean up global supply chains. We must remain committed to raising global standards and must monitor implementation efficiently to make sure it contributes to the goal of breaking the link between armed conflict and the trade in minerals and to avoid potential circumventions of the regulation.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). – Mr President, along with my group, I welcomed this report as it calls for mandatory due diligence checks on suppliers of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, otherwise known as conflict minerals. All industry initiatives now have to comply fully with international OECD due diligence guidelines. This sends out a clear message from the European Union that we wish to eliminate the strong interrelationship between trade and conflict that has defined this industry for far too long now.

In the long term, regulations such as this prevent armed revolts or human rights violations being financed by the illegal revenue from mineral extraction and trade. The rapporteur’s aim was to create an efficient and workable regulation which also affords due consideration for smaller SMEs. I am confident that we have reached an agreeable solution in this regard. Looking forward, cooperation in this area will thus bolster the market in responsibly traded minerals, while serving the interests of communities and people caught in war and conflict.