Parliamentary question - E-004501/2012(ASW)Parliamentary question
E-004501/2012(ASW)

Joint answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission
Written questions : E-004501/12 , E-004564/12 , E-004515/12 , E-004530/12 , E-004736/12

In response to the questions raised by the Honourable Members as regards the above subject the Commission would like to refer to the reply given to Written Question E‑012324/2011 by Mr Dan Jørgensen[1]. The Commission would like to add further that it is impossible to confirm that the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards would imply that up to 20 % of trapped animals do indeed experience the injuries mentioned. There is no international consensus on animal ethics criteria which could form the basis for revising the agreement. In the interests of furthering the debate, the Commission publicised the results of a study on trapping via the following link:
http://www.acceptance.ec.europa.eu/environment/pubs/studies.htm#trapping

The objective of the study is to describe the state-of-the-art research, the science and the application of humane trapping standards as referred to in the ‘Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards’ (AIHTS), and as described in Commission proposal COM(2004)532 (final) with a view to identifying the improved trapping standards.

The introduction of furs of certain animal species into the EU is prohibited, unless the exporting country where they originate respects one of the following two conditions: to prohibit the use of leghold traps, or to apply internationally agreed trapping standards to the trapping methods used. Leghold-trapped animal furs can still be imported from Canada into the EU on account of Canada's commitment to implement the Agreement (AIHTS), thus banning inhumane trapping methods.

OJ C 308 E, 23/10/2013