Protection of wild fauna and flora: control of trade of species

In adopting the report by Mrs Maartje van PUTTEN (PSE, NL), Parliament amended the common position relating to the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein. In its amendments Parliament called for: - better protection of bird species in relation to which it has been established that live specimens placed on the market have little chance of survival in transit or face a considerable shortening of their potential life span in captivity; - the competent scientific authority to ensure that the accommodation is suited to the natural behavioural patterns of the species, that the animal does not face a shorter life span in captivity, and that it can reproduce. Parliament also called for the Commission to be required to ensure free access to the information it receives pursuant to the Regulation. Finally, it proposed the setting up of a Subgroup within the committee under the title 'Working Party on Implementation', composed of representatives of Member States' competent authorities charged with enforcing the provisions of the Regulation, and chaired by a Commission representative. �