Animal protection: implementation by the Community of the agreement on international humane trapping standards

PURPOSE : introducing humane trapping standards for certain animal species.

PROPOSED ACT : Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT : with a view to implementing the environmental aspect of the Agreement on humane international trapping standards, the Commission is proposing to apply standards to 19 animal species such as the Coyote, Marten, Bobcat, Muskrat, Raccoon, Lynx, Badger, Wolf, Beaver, Otter and Pine marten and others covered by the Agreement. This proposal respects the contents of the Agreement concerning the species covered, the general objectives and the technical aspects. The proposed Directive establishes humane trapping standards, requirements for trapping methods, technical provisions for the testing of trapping methods and the certification of traps for trapping certain wild animal species and concerns traps used for the trapping of the wild mammals for the purposes of wildlife management, pest control, capture of mammals for conservation and obtaining fur, skin or meat.

In addition, the Commission provides that the Member States are required to designate competent authorities for the purpose of implementation of the Directive. The competent authorities shall have the responsibility to deliver a standard certification document , as appropriate, containing specific conditions and restrictions regarding the use of the traps concerned.

Furthermore, the proposal sets out the conditions for the general use of traps. After the date of 1 January 2009 only certified traps may be put into use to trap the 19 animal species listed.

Moreover, it establishes the principle that the use of traps certified in third countries will be

allowed in the Community. It also imposes upon the Member States to ensure that, as from 1 January 2012, no trapping methods are used that are not in conformity with the humane trapping standards.

It should be recalled that the Agreement has been inspired by the desire to agree on international humane trapping standards as well as to avoid trade disputes with the main international fur exporters. The Agreement has been applied provisionally between the Community and Canada since June 1999, pending its entry into force which requires ratification by the Russian Federation. The second one concerns the United States of America and has the form of an agreed minute. This was approved by Council Decision 98/487/EC. The Agreement on international humane trapping standards aims to establish standards on humane trapping methods, to improve communication and co-operation between the Parties for the implementation and development of these standards and facilitate trade of furs and traps between the Parties. The aim of the humane trapping standards is to ensure a sufficient level of welfare of trapped animals, and to further improve this welfare.