Explanatory Memorandum to COM(1980)150 - Common rules for imports of whale products (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

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dossier COM(1980)150 - Common rules for imports of whale products (submitted to the Council by the Commission).
source COM(1980)150 EN
date 23-04-1980
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES DE LA COMMISSION

COLLECTION RELIEE DES DOCUMENTS 'COM'

COM (80)150

Vol. 1980/0047

Disclaimer

Conformement au reglement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du ler fevrier 1983 concernant I’ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communaute economique europeenne et de la Communaute europeenne de I’energie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, p.

1), tel que modifie par le reglement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 (JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p.

1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas echeant, les documents classifies presents dans ce dossier ont ete declassifies conformement a I’article 5 dudit reglement.

In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p.

1), as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 27.9.2003, p.

1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.

In Obereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1. Februar 1983 uber die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europaischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europaischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983, S.

1), geandert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003 (ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S.

1), ist diese Datei der Offentlichkeit zuganglich. Soweit erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Obereinstimmung mit Artikel 5 der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

,    C0MC80) 150 final.

Brussels, 25 April 1980.

Proposal for a ,

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)    .

on common rules for imports of whale products

COM(SO) 150 final.

1. Because the situation as regards the status of the large species of whale

is giving rise to concern, several Member States have taken, or are considering, steps aimed at prohibiting the import of whale products to support international measures to ensure the survival of whales.

2. A!s uniformity in the common commercial policy is to be maintained, Community measures on this matter are necessary. In consequence, the Commission thinks it appropriate to subject the introduction into the Community of primary whale products to a system of 1icences.The competent authorities should issue these licences only when they have assured themselves that the products in question are not to be vised for commercial purposes.

3. Earlier experience has shown that the protective measures taken by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) have almost always been inadequate . -or introduced too late when stocks of the endangered species had already fallen to very low levels. Consequently, it has become very difficult, not to say impossible, for the populations to recover their original size.

The Community as such must therefore accede to the International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling in order to lend weight to its point of view on the conservation of whales. The Commission has already submitted the relevant proposal to the Council.^

4. In any event, there is so much uncertainty over the conservation status of most whale species that it would seen best to end hunting and trading in these species as it might lead to their extinction and thus to a permanent change in marine ecology.

COM(79) 364 final, 30.8.1979.

5. Substitutes are already available for all products derived from whales (oils and other products). The Commission therefore takes the view that abandoning whale products will not cause insuperable problems for industry, provided it is allowed a reasonable period in which adjust itself. Acting on this principle, the United States have already been able to ban the import of whale products. Australia is considering introducing a similar measure as from 1 January 1981.

6. Adoption of this Regulation now would permit those now using the products concerned to start making the necessary changes straight away. The implementing rules will have to be adopted at a later stage to align them with the implementaion of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Proposal for a Council Regulation on common rules for imports of

whale products.

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof;

Having regard to Council Regulation No 136/66/EEC of 22 September

1966 on the establishment of a common organization of the market in oils and

1 * 2 fats, as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 590/79, and in particular

Article 3(1) thereof;

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 827/68 of 28 June 1968

on the common organization of the market in certain products listed in

3    4

Annex II to the Treaty, as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1117/78,

and in particular Article 2(1) thereof;

Having regard to the Commission proposal;

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament;

Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee;

Whereas the conservation of certain species of whale calls for measures which will restrict international trade; and whereas these should be Community-level measures and should at the same time respect the Community's international obligations;

Whereas it is therefore appropriate to make the introduction into the Community of certain products derived from whales subject to the production of an import permit; and whereas the competent authorities should not issue such permits unless they have assured themselves that the products in question are not to be used for commercial purposes,    .

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION

10J No 172 of 30 September 1966, p. 3025 2 QJ No L 78 of 30 March 1979, p. 1 3OJ No L 151 of 30 June 1968, p. 16 4 OJ No L 142 of 30 May 1978, p. 1

Article 1

1. From 1 January 1982 the introduction into the Community of the products listedinthe Annex hereto shall be subject to the production of an import permit. No such permit may be issued in respect of products to be used for commercial purposes.

2. Member States shall notify the Commission before 1 July 1981 of the names and addresses of the authorities appointed by them to issue the import licences referred to in paragraph 1. The Commission shall immediately inform the other Member States thereof.

Article 2

After consulting the Member States, the Commission shall adopt rules for the implementation of this Regulation, and in particular shall specify the conditions under which import licences may be issued.

This Regulation is binding in its entirety and shall be directly applicable in all the Member States.

done at Brussels

For the Council

ANNEX    '    -
CCT No• ' * ' . . _ ' .

Products description
ex 02.04 C IWhale meat and edible meat offals, fresh, chilled or frozen
ex 02.06 C IIWhalemeat and edible meat offals, salted, in '    brine, dried or smoked    .    "
ex 05.09.    Whalebone, unworked or simply prepared but not

cut to shape .    .

■ f ■ . .
ex 05.15 BWhale meat and meat offals unfit for human consumption; whale meal and meat extracts
ex 15.04Whale oils and fats, whether or not refined
ex 15.08Whale oils, boiled, oxidized, dehydrated, sulphurized, blown, polymerized by heat in a vacuum or an inert gas, or otherwise modified
ex 15.12

i    -
Whale oils and fats, wholly or partly hydrogenated, or solidified or hardened by any other process, whether or not refined, but not '    further prepared .    :
15.15 ASpermaceti of sperm-whales and other cetaceans,

.    crude, pressed or refined, whether or not

coloured
ex 16.03Whale meat extracts and meat juices.    ,
ex Chapter 41.    •    m    ■

Jjeather, treated with whale-oil or oil of other cetaceans, whether or not modified.    .