US stance puts agreement on leghold traps in jeopardy

Date: 05/12/1996

EFFORTS to find a compromise to end the controversy over imports of furs caught using “inhumane” traps foundered this week after Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard and Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan failed to resolve their differences.

Despite months of intense four-way negotiations to agree “humane” standards, the US is insisting that leghold traps be included with all other traps under a 'safeguard clause' which would allow their continued use if no viable alternative could be found within four years.

European Commission officials believe the other two parties, Canada and Russia, are prepared to take a softer line.

At a meeting yesterday (4 December), Brittan pressed his Commission colleagues to accept the US terms. He fears that failure to gain American support would lead to a major trade dispute and open the EU up to accusations of hypocrisy at a time when it is fighting the US' Helms-Burton legislation.

But Commission sources said Bjerregaard had refused to accept this argument.

She has made no secret of her tough anti-trap stance and is fully aware that to water down the agreement too much would provoke the wrath of a number of environment ministers, who will discuss the issue at a meeting next Monday (9 December), and the European Parliament.

“What the US wants would blow a serious hole in the agreement and it is doubtful Council could accept it,” said a senior source, adding that the Commission was deeply split on the issue.

With no decision possible this week, talks will continue with the US during the next few days in the hope of paving the way for a Commission decision on 18 December. A number of governments - including the UK, the Netherlands, Italy and Austria - are expected to take a tough line against leghold traps at next week's meeting of environment ministers.