EU introduces strict laws to protect flora and fauna

THE European Union has introduced a tough regime to control the imports of endangered flora and fauna, a trade worth billions. Uncontrolled exploitation of wildlife is the second most serious cause of the loss of biodiversity, after the loss of habitat.

The culmination of 10 years work, the rules were warmly welcomed by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, who chaired yesterday's meeting of Environment ministers.

Mr Howlin said the challenge was to see the rules implemented. They provide strict criteria before up to 27,000 species are imported to the EU and for mandatory sanctions against those who break the law. They also provide for the full implementation in the EU of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.

The Wildlife Act going through the Dail contains the necessary enabling powers and Mr Howlin said he hoped it would be approved in the new year.

Ministers also discussed the continuing controversy over the importation of genetically modified corn and soya from the US. The importation of genetically modified foods is banned but the US strongly disputes the restriction, arguing there is no scientific evidence of any harmful side effects.

Reports that a ship containing a mixed cargo of modified and unmodified corn had unloaded in Rotterdam and is in Le Havre have led to concerns about the viability of the ban, which is also questioned by the Commission.

The Commission put a proposal to ministers in June to lift the ban which was opposed by 13 of 5 states. Under the Union's complex decision making system, because the ban was neither defeated nor upheld, the Commission is obliged to lift it.

It will raise the matter again on December 18th when three scientific committees are due to report.

The decision on trade in endangered species was "good news for species and good news for people", Mr Gordon Shepherd of the World Wide Fund for Nature said at press conference with Mr Howlin and the Environment Commissioner, Ms Ritt Bjeregaard.

Mr Shepherd estimates the world trade in species (excluding wood and fish) at $50 billion a year, up to a quarter of which is illegal. The EU is involved in about a third of the world trade, and Mr Shepherd said its decision would make a "a big difference".

The law, due to come into effect on June 1st next, affects tourists as well as traders and covers animals, flora and products ranging from crocodile leather shoes to ivory, corals, orchids to rare parrots, butterflies and even to medicines made from endangered species. Some 3 per cent of the species and their products are banned altogether, while strict licensing will apply to many others.

Ministers tailed to agree on a Commission compromise proposal on phasing in a ban on furs from countries allowing animals to be caught in leg hold traps. Talks with the US, Canada and Russia will continue. A total ban is due to come in March.