Protection of fauna: Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Programme AIDCP, conclusion by the European Community

 The committee adopted the report by Duarte FREITAS(ΕPP-ED, PT) broadly approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of amendments mainly designed to clarify and improve the text. The report also introduced three new articles:

- the Council Presidency should take steps to ensure "the permanent updating of procedures for the tracking and verification of catches of tuna in the area covered by the Agreement, by virtue of the entry into force of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2003";

- only tuna that conforms to the definition of 'dolphin-safe tuna' set out by the International Dolphin Conservation Programme (IDCP) should be allowed to be labelled as such;

- the Community shall implement measures in order to ensure that an adequate level of information about AIDCP eco-labelling is achieved and maintained for the benefit of consumers in Europe.