Leghold trap ban deadline decision due

Date: 20/02/1997

By Michael Mann

THE temperature is rising as the latest deadline approaches for resolving the dispute over the EU's planned ban on imports of furs from animals caught using jaw-type leghold traps.

Senior European Commission sources believe there is now a serious possibility that the issue will not be settled until Union environment ministers meet in Brussels in June.

Last December, these same ministers called for a “more satisfactory arrangement” than the framework agreement on humane standards already negotiated with Canada and Russia and under discussion with Washington. They set an end-of-February deadline for a deal.

A ban on imports from all countries not party to an accord on humane standards is due to come into force on 1 March. Moscow and Ottawa have now agreed to a framework for phasing out various trapping methods, but the US is insisting on the right to continue using leghold traps if no viable alternative is found within four years.

Much depends on whether a final decision is left to environment or trade ministers. The issue is on the agenda for next Monday's (24 February) meeting of foreign ministers and the 3 March meeting of environment ministers.

The Dutch presidency would prefer to leave it to environment ministers, who are likely to give greater weight to animal welfare.

But the Commission favours a ruling by trade ministers, demonstrated by its decision to give responsibility for the multilateral negotiations to Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan. There are fears that a ban affecting major trading partners would open up the EU to accusations of hypocrisy over its attack on the US Helms-Burton legislation.

Concerned that the Commission has ignored their arguments, MEPs raised the issue again during this week's plenary session in Strasbourg.