[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

[pic] | COIMISIÚN NA gCOMHPHOBAL EORPACH |

Brussels, 23.7.2008

An Bhruiséil23.7.2008

COM(2008) 469 final

COIM(2008) 469 leagan deireanach

2008/0160 (COD)

2008/0160 (COD)

Proposal for a

Togra le haghaidh

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

RIALACHÁIN Ó PHARLAIMINT NA hEORPA AGUS ÓN gCOMHAIRLE

concerning trade in seal products

maidir le trádáil i dtáirgí róin

(presented by the Commission){SEC(2008) 2290}{SEC(2008) 2291}

(arna thíolacadh ag an gCoimisiún) {SEC(2008) 2290} {SEC(2008) 2291}

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

MEABHRÁN MÍNIÚCHÁIN

1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

1. COMHTHÉACS AN TOGRA

( Grounds for and objectives of the proposal

( Forais agus cuspóirí an togra

This proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council is intended to ban the placing on the market and the import in, transit through, and the export from the Community of seal products. Trade in those products would however be possible when certain conditions, which concern the manner and method whereby seals are killed and skinned, are met. It also establishes information requirements aimed at ensuring that seal products whose trade would be possible by derogation to the prohibitions otherwise in force would be clearly identified as coming from a country meeting the required conditions, or alternatively as having been killed and skinned by persons acting under the jurisdiction of countries where the said conditions are met.

Is é is aidhm leis an togra seo le haghaidh Rialacháin ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle toirmeasc a chur ar tháirgí róin a chur ar an margadh agus a allmhairiú isteach, a bheith ar idirthuras tríd nó a onnmhairiú ón gComhphobal. D'fhéadfaí trádáil a dhéanamh sna táirgí sin, áfach, ach coinníollacha áirithe i ndáil leis an tslí agus an dóigh ina maraítear agus ina bhfeanntar na rónta a chomhlíonadh. Bunaítear leis, freisin ceanglais faisnéise a bhfuil sé d'aidhm acu a áirithiú go n-aithneofaí go soiléir i gcás táirgí róin a bhféadfaí trádáil faoi mhaolú ó na toirmisc a dhéanamh iontu, go dtagann siad ó thír a chomhlíonnann na coinníollacha a cheanglaítear, é sin nó go n-aithneofaí gurbh iad daoine a bhí ag gníomhú faoi dhlínse tíortha ina gcomhlíontar na coinníollacha sin a mharaigh na rónta agus a d’fheann iad.

The bans are intended to replace the varied measures adopted, or whose adoption is planned, by certain Member States to prohibit the import, production and distribution, as the case may be, of products derived from seals, so that harmonised conditions govern the trade in those products within the Community. The provisions of the draft Regulation also aim at ensuring that seal products produced outside the Community cannot be imported into it, transit through it, or be exported from the Community.

Beartaítear go ngabhfaidh na toirmisc seo ionad na mbeart éagsúil a ghlac Ballstáit áirithe nó a bhfuil sé ar intinn acu a ghlacadh, chun cosc a chur le allmhairiú, táirgeadh agus a dáileadh táirgí a dhíorthaítear ó rónta, de réir mar a bheidh, sa chaoi is go mbeidh an trádáil sna táirgí sin á rialú le coinníollacha comhchuibhithe laistigh de Chomhphobal. Chomh maith, tá sé d'aidhm ag an dréacht-Rialachán, a áirithiú nach féidir táirgí róin a tháirgtear lasmuigh den Chomhphobal a allmhairiú isteach, a bheith ar idirthuras tríd, nó a allmhairiú amach as an gComhphobal.

Seal products are imported in the Community and being traded within it. The evidence available suggests that most of these products originate from third countries, even though some production exists within the Community as seals are killed and skinned in Finland and Sweden, while seal products are produced in other Member States, such as the United Kingdom (Scotland), using seal fur skins coming from other countries.

Allmhairítear táirgí róin isteach sa Chomhphobal agus déantar trádáil iontu sa Chomhphobal. Tá sé le tuiscint ón bhfianaise atá ar fáil gur í tríú tíortha a thionscnaítear an chuid is mó de na táirgí seo, cé go dtáirgtear méid áirithe laistigh den Chomhphobal ó tharla go ndéantar rónta a mharú agus an craiceann a bhaint díobh san Fhionlainn agus sa tSualainn, agus go dtáirgtear táirgí róin i mBallstáit eile, amhail an Ríocht Aontaithe (Alba), ag úsáid seithí fionnaidh róin a thig ó thíortha eile.

For several years, many members of the public have been concerned about the animal welfare aspects of the killing and skinning of seals and about trade occurring in products possibly derived from seals that have been killed and skinned with avoidable pain, distress and other forms of suffering, which seals, as sentient mammals, are capable of experiencing. Those concerns have therefore been expressed by members of the public out of ethical reasons. The Commission received during the last years a massive number of letters and petitions on the issue expressing citizens’ deep indignation and repulsion regarding the trade in seal products in such conditions.

Le roinnt blianta anuas, tá roinnt mhaith daoine den phobal ag déanamh imní de ghnéithe leasa ainmhithe i ndáil le rónta a mharú agus an craiceann a bhaint díobh agus i ndáil le trádáil a thig as táirgí a díorthaíodh ó rónta a maraíodh agus ar baineadh an craiceann díobh ar bhealach ar ábhar péine, anacra agus foirmeacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é, is féidir le rónta, mar ainmhithe mothaitheacha, a bhrath. Chuir daoine den phobal an imní sin in iúl ar chúiseanna eiticiúla. Le blianta beaga anuas cuireadh líon ollmhór litreacha agus achanaíocha chuig an gCoimisiún faoin gceist ina gcuireann saoránaigh in iúl an fearg agus an deistin atá orthu ós rud é go bhfuil táirgí róin a dtrádáil faoi na coinníollacha sin.

As a result of the concerns expressed by citizens, several Member States have adopted, or are in the process of adopting or examining, legislation aiming at restricting or banning economic activities linked to the production of seal products. National legislators are tackling the issue with different measures banning the import, production, commercialisation, or placing on the market, as the case may be, of products derived from seals or certain seal species. Increasing awareness among and pressure from the public on national legislators are likely to result in further legislative initiatives in the Member States aimed at responding to the widespread concern of members of the public as mentioned above.

De thoradh an imní a rinne na saoránaigh de, ghlac roinnt Ballstát, nó tá siad i mbun í a ghlacadh nó a scrúdú, reachtaíocht ina ndírítear ar ghníomhaíochtaí eacnamaíocha a bhaineann le táirgeadh táirgí róin a shrianadh nó a thoirmeasc. Tá na reachtóirí náisiúnta ag dul i ngleic leis an gceist trí bhíthin beart éagsúil ina dtoirmisctear táirgí a dhíorthaítear ó rónta nó ó speicis áirithe róin a allmhairiú, a tháirgeadh, a thráchtálú, nó a chur ar an margadh, de réir mar a bheidh. Toisc gur eolaí anois an pobal bheith agus iad ag cur brú ar reachtóirí náisiúnta is dóigh go mbeidh tuilleadh tionscnamh reachtach sna Ballstáit a mbeidh sé d'aidhm acu freagairt ar an imní mhór atá ar dhaoine den phobal mar a luaitear thuas.

Two Member States have legislation in place to the effect of restricting trade in seal products.

Thug dhá Bhallstát reactaíocht isteach ag maidir le trádáil i dtáirgí róin a shrianadh.

Whilst trade in seal products is (or may soon be) subject to restrictive rules in certain Member States, no specific requirements to that effect have been enacted in other Member States so that different trade conditions coexist within the Community varying from one (group of) Member State to the other (group) of Member States. As a consequence, the internal market is fragmented as traders need to adjust their commercial practices to the different provisions in force in each Member State.

Cé go bhfuil (nó go bhféadfadh sé go mbeidh go luath) trádáil i dtáirgí róin faoi réir rialacha sriantacha i mBallstáit áirithe, níor achtaíodh aon cheanglais shonracha chun na críche sin i mBallstáit eile sa chaoi go bhfuil coinníollacha trádála difriúla taobh le taobh laistigh den Chomhphobal agus iad ag athrú ó Bhallstát amháin (grúpa de Bhallstáit) go Ballstát eile (grúpa de Bhallstáit). Dá dheasca sin, tá ilroinnt sa mhargadh inmheánach toisc gur gá do na trádálaithe a gcleachtais tráchtála a choigeartú de réir na bhforálacha éagsúla atá i bhfeidhm i ngach Ballstát.

The Treaty establishing the European Community does not provide for a specific legal basis allowing the Community to legislate in the field of ethics as such. However, where the Treaty empowers the Community to legislate in certain areas and that the specific conditions of those legal bases are met, the mere circumstance that the Community legislature relies on ethical considerations does not prevent it from adopting legislative measures. It should be noted, in that respect, that the Treaty enables the Community to adopt measures aimed at establishing and maintaining an internal market, which is a market without internal frontiers according to Article 14 of the Treaty.

Ní fhoráiltear sa Chonradh ag bunú an Chomhphobail Eorpaigh do bhunús dlí sonrach lena gceadaítear don Chomhphobal reachtú i réimse a bhaineann le heitic den sórt sin. Mar sin féin, i gcás sa Chonradh ina dtugtar de chumhacht don Chomhphobal reachtú i réimsí áirithe agus ina gcomhlíontar coinníollacha sonracha na mbunús dlí sin, ní hionann reachtas an Chomhphobail a bheith ag brath ar chúrsaí eiticiúla is é a chosc ó bhearta reachtacha a ghlacadh. Ba chóir go dtabharfaí faoi deara, ina leith sin, go dtugann an Conradh de chumhacht don Chomhphobal bearta a ghlacadh a bhfuil sé d'aidhm acu margadh inmheánach a bhunú agus a chothabháil, ar margadh é gan teorainneacha inmheánacha de réir Airteagal 14 den Chonradh.

It follows from the Court of Justice’s settled case-law that, where there are differences between the laws, regulations or administrative provisions of the Member States which are such as to obstruct the fundamental freedoms and thus have a direct effect on the functioning of the internal market, Community measures are justified in order to prevent such obstacles. Depending on the circumstances, those measures may consist in provisionally or definitely prohibiting the marketing of a product or products[1].

Leanann sé ó chásdlí socraithe na Cúirte Breithiúnais, sa chás go bhfuil difríochtaí idir dlíthe, rialacháin nó forálacha riaracháin na mBallstát ar difríochtaí iad a d'fhéadfadh saoirsí bunúsacha a chosc agus a mbeadh tionchar díreach acu ar an gcuma sin ar an margadh inmheánach, leanann sé go bhfuil call cuí le bearta an Chomhphobail chun constaicí dá leithéidí a chosc. Dé réir na n-imthosca, is éard a d'fhéadfadh a bheith sna bearta sin margaíocht táirge nó táirgí a thoirmeasc go sealadach nó go cinntitheach[1].

There are differences between the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States with respect to seal products. Two of them have already prohibited the marketing of such products and a third has notified its intention to do so. Other Member States have intense public discussions about the need for such legislation. Those measures are intended, according to their authors, to stop trade in seal products mainly on the basis of ethical reasons related to animal welfare. Those prohibitions of marketing contribute to a heterogeneous development of that market and are therefore such as to constitute obstacles to the free movement of goods.

Tá difríochtaí idir dlíthe, rialacháin agus forálacha riaracháin na mBallstát i ndáil le táirgí róin. Tá dhá Bhallstát tar éis margaíocht na dtáirgí sin a thoirmeasc agus Ballstát eile tar éis fógra a thabhairt faoin rún atá aige é a dhéanamh. Tá Ballstáit eile i mbun diospóireachtaí diana poiblí maidir leis an gá atá le reachtaíocht dá leithéid. Is é is aidhm do na bearta sin, de réir a n-údar, deireadh a chur le trádáil i dtáirgí róin go príomha i ngeall ar cúiseanna eiticiúla a bhaineann le leas ainmhithe. Rannchuidíonn na toirmisc sin ar mhargaíocht le forbairt ilchineálach an mhargaidh sin agus ar an ábhar sin is constaicí sa bhealach ar shaorghluaiseacht earraí iad.

Having regard also to the public’s growing awareness and sensitivity to ethical considerations in how seal products are obtained, it is likely that obstacles to the free movement of those products would arise by reason of the adoption by the Member States of new rules reflecting those concerns.

Ag féachaint freisin do phobal atá níos eolaí agus níos íogairí faoi chúrsaí eiticiúla a bhaineann le conas a fhaightear táirgí róin, is dóigh go dtarlóidh constaicí in aghaidh saorghluaiseacht na dtáirgí sin de dhroim na mBallstát do ghlacadh rialacha nua a bhaineann leis na cúiseanna imní sin.

Action by the Community legislature on the basis of Article 95 EC is therefore justified with respect to seal products[2].

Ar an ábhar sin, tá údar le ghíomh ó reachtas an Chomhphobail ar bhonn Airteagal 95 CE i ndáil le táirgí róin [2].

The harmonisation of the different prohibitions and/or other restrictive measures currently in place is the easiest and lightest way of ensuring that the welfare of the seals from which products are derived is taken into account when trade in seal products takes place, under the condition that certain requirements are met.

Is é comhchuibhiú na dtoirmeasc éagsúil agus/nó na mbeart sriantach eile atá ann faoi láthair an bealach is fusa agus is simplí chun a áirithiú go gcuirfear san áireamh leas rónta óna ndíorthaítear táirgí nuair a tharlaíonn trádáil i dtáirgí róin, faoin gcoinníoll go gcomhlíonfar ceanglais áirithe.

The Court of Justice has recognised that the protection of animal welfare is a legitimate objective in the public interest[3].

D'aithin an Chúirt Bhreithiúnais gur cuspóir dlisteanach é leas ainmhithe a chosaint ar mhaithe le leas an phobail[3].

The Court of Justice has also held that, where the conditions for recourse to Article 95 EC as a legal basis are fulfilled, the Community legislature cannot be prevented from relying on that legal basis on the ground that public health protection is a decisive factor in the choices to be made[4].

Is é Cinneadh seasta na Cúirte Breithiúnais freisin nach féidir a chosc, sa chás ina gcomhlíontar na coinníollacha maidir le leas a bhaint as Airteagal 95 CE mar bhunús dlí, go mbeifear ag brath i reachtas an Chomhphobail ar an mbunús dlí sin ar an bhforas gur fíoras cinntitheach atá sa tsláinte phoiblí ó thaobh na roghanna atá le déanamh[4].

It follows from a combined reading of the above case-law that the Community legislature cannot be prevented from relying on Article 95 EC on the ground that animal welfare considerations would be a decisive factor in the choices to be made.

Ó léamh comhcheangailte an chásdlí thuas is léir nach féidir a chosc i reachtas an Chomhphobail go mbeifear ag brath ar Airteagal 95 CE ar an bhforas gur fíoras cinntitheach a bheadh sa tsláinte phoiblí ó thaobh na roghanna atá le déanamh.

In any case, the draft Regulation, insofar as it seeks to establish uniform conditions under which seal products may be traded in derogation to the prohibitions otherwise applicable, contributes to ensure the free movement of those goods within the internal market.

Ar aon nós, rannchuidíonn an dréacht-Rialachán, a mhéid a fhéachtar ann le coinníollacha aonfhoirmeacha a bhunú faoinar féidir táirgí róin a thrádáil de mhaolú ar na toirmisc a bheadh, mura mbeadh sin, infheidhme, chun saorghluaiseacht earraí laistigh den mhargadh inmheánach a áirithiú.

As the vast majority of seal products present in the Community originate from third countries, the establishment of the ban trade must be accompanied by an equivalent ban on imports of the same products into the Community.

Ós rud é go dtionscnaítear formhór na dtáirgí róin atá sa Chomhphobal i dtríú tíortha, ní foláir go ngabhfaidh cosc coibhéiseach ar allmhairiú na dtáirgí céanna isteach sa Chomhphobal le bunú an choisc ar thrádáil.

A ban on transit and exports should also ensure that seal products do not transit through the Community nor are produced in the Community for export. Such additional bans would contribute to render the ban on intra-Community trade more effective, as there is a risk that seal products placed under a transit procedure or allegedly produced for export may be fraudulently brought on to the Community market.

Ba chóir go n-áireofaí trí bhíthin toirmisc ar tháirgí ar idirthuras agus ar onnmhairí nach mbeidh táirgí róin ar idirthuras tríd an gComhphobal agus nach dtáirgfear iad sa Chomhphobal le haghaidh onnmhairiú. Rannchuideoidh na toirmisc bhreise sin leis an toirmeasc ar thrádáil laistigh den Chomhphobal a dhéanamh níos éifeachtúla, mar go bhfuil an baol ann go gcuirfear ar mhargadh an Chomhphobail go calaoiseach na táirgí róin sin a chuirtear faoi nós imeachta bealach tríd nó a líomhnaítear a tháirgeadh le haghaidh onnmhairiú.

Insofar as the provisions of this Regulation affect commercial activities in seal products with third countries, beyond what is strictly required to preserve the ban on intra-Community trade, it should also be considered as a measure governing international trade.

Sa mhéid is go bhfuil tionchar ag forálacha an Rialacháin seo ar ghníomhaíochtaí tráchtála i dtáirgí róin le tríú tíortha, thar a bhfuil riachtanach chun an toirmeasc ar thrádáil laistigh den Chomhphobal a chaomhnú, bá chóir go measfaí gur beart lena rialaítear trádáil idirnáisiúnta é.

The various prohibitions provided for by this Regulation would respond to the animal welfare concerns expressed by members of the public as to the possible introduction into the Community of seal products obtained from seals that might not have been killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and other forms of suffering.

D’Fhreagródh na toirmisc éagsúla dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo don imní atá ar daoine den phobal i ndáil le leas ainmhithe maidir leis an bhféidearthacht táirgí róin, a fuarthas ó rónta a d'fhéadfadh sé nár maraíodh agus nár feannadh gan pian, anacair agus foirmeacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta, a thabhairt isteach sa Chomhphobal.

It should however be possible for trade in seal products to take place where the killing and skinning methods used would be such as offering reasonable guarantees that the killing and skinning occur without causing avoidable pain, distress and other forms of suffering.

Ba chóir, áfach, go bhféadfaí táirgí róin a thrádáil ar chuntar go n-úsáidfí modhanna maraithe agus feannta lena dtabharfaí ráthaíocht réasúnta go gcuirtear i gcrích an marú agus an feannadh gan pian, anacair nó foirmeacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta.

The regulatory framework so established would therefore be designed so as giving incentives to countries concerned to review and improve, where need be, their legislation and practice concerning the methods to be complied with when killing and skinning seals.

Cheapfaí an creat rialúcháin a bunaíodh mar sin chun dreasachtaí a thabhairt do thíortha i dtrácht a reachtaíocht agus a gcleachtas maidir leis na modhanna atá le comhlíonadh agus rónta á marú agus á bhfeannadh, a athbhreithniú agus a fheabhsú, nuair is gá.

The fundamental economic and social interests of Inuit communities traditionally engaged in the hunting of seals should not be adversely affected. Seal products deriving from traditional hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit communities and which contribute to their subsistence should therefore not be covered by the prohibitions provided for by this Regulation.

Ba chóir nach rachfaí chun dochair do leas bunúsach eacnamaíoch agus sóisialta na gcomhphobal Ionúiteach, a mbíonn sé de thraidisiún acu dul ag fiach rónta. Dá bhrí sin, ní cóir go bhfolófaí táirgí róin a dhíorthaítear ón bhfiach a dhéanann na pobail Ionúiteacha ó thraidisiún agus a rannchuidíonn lena mbeatha a shaothrú faoi na toirmisc dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo.

- General context

- Comhthéacs ginearálta

Products derived from seals are traded within and outside the Community.

Déantar táirgí a dhíorthaítear ó rónta a thrádáil laistigh agus lasmuigh den Chomhphobal.

Within the Community, seals are killed and skinned in Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom (Scotland) with a view to obtain products derived from seals, or for pest control reasons. Outside the Community, seals are killed and skinned to the same effect in Canada, Greenland, Namibia, Norway and Russia.

Laistigh den Chomhphobal, maraítear agus baintear an craiceann de rónta sa tSualainn, san Fhionlainn agus sa Ríocht Aontaithe (Alba) d'fhonn táirgí a dhíorthaítear ó rónta a fháil nó chun lotnaidí a shrianadh. Lasmuigh den Chomhphobal, maraítear agus feanntar rónta ar na cúiseanna céanna i gCeanada, sa Ghraonlainn, sa Namaib, san Iorua agus sa Rúis.

The Community has adopted since long appropriate legislation seeking to ensure that hunting within and outside the Community would not lead to endanger the conservation status of several seal species (see below).

Ó shin ghlac an Comhphobal reachtaíocht iomchuí chun go n-áiritheofaí nach gcuirfeadh fiach laistigh agus lasmuigh den Chomhphobal stádas caomhnaithe go leor speiceas róin i mbaol (féach thíos).

Beyond those conservation concerns, methods used to kill seals and seal pups have raised serious among members of the public, organisations and certain Member States for several years on account of the fear, pain, distress and other form of suffering experienced by seals and seal pups.

Mar aon leis na cúraimí caomhnaithe seo, is cúis mhór imní do dhaoine den phobal, eagraíochtaí agus Ballstáit áirithe le roinnt blianta anuas na modhanna a úsáidtear chun rónta agus laonna róin a mharú mar gheall ar an eagla, an pian, an anacair agus cineálacha eile fulaingthe a bhraitheann na rónta.

On 17 November 2006, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a recommendation on seal hunting inviting member and observer states practising seal hunting, amongst other issues, "to ban all cruel hunting methods, which do not guarantee the instantaneous death, without suffering, of the animals, and to prohibit the stunning of animals with instruments such as hakapiks, bludgeons and guns".

An 17 Samhain 2006, ghlac Tionól Parlaiminteach Chomhairle na hEorpa moladh maidir le fiach róin inar iarradh ar Bhallstáit agus ar Stáit a bhfuil stádas breathnadóra acu ina ndéantar fiach róin, inter alia, "na modhanna cruálacha fiaigh uile, nach ráthaíonn bás ar an toirt, gan fulaingt a thoirmeasc, na n-ainmhithe, agus ionstraimí ar nós hakapik, maidí agus gunnaí a úsáidtear chun néal a chur ar ainmhithe, a thoirmeasc".

On 26 September 2006, the European Parliament adopted a declaration requesting the European Commission to regulate the import, export and sale of all harp and hooded seal products, while ensuring that this regulation would not have an impact on traditional Inuit seal hunting.

Ar an 26 Meán Fómhair 2006, ghlac Parlaimint na hEorpa dearbhú ina n-iarradh ar an gCoimisiún Eorpach allmhairiú, onnmhairiú agus díol táirgí uile róin Ghraonlannaigh agus róin chochallaigh a rialú, agus ag áirithiú ag an am céanna nach mbeadh tionchar ag an Rialachán seo ar an bhfiach traidisiúnta róin a chleachtann na hIonúitigh.

Belgium adopted on 16 March 2007 an Act prohibiting the manufacture and placing on the market of products derived from seals while the Netherlands adopted a Decree of 4 July 2007 amending the Flora and Fauna Act (Designation of Species of Animals and Plants) Decree and the Protected Species of Animals and Plants (Exemption) Decree in connection with the prohibition of the trade in products of harp seals and hooded seals. Germany intends to adopt an Act banning the import, processing and placing on the market of seal products. Similar initiatives from other Member States may not be excluded in the future.

An 16 Márta 2007 ghlac an Bheilg Ionstraim lena dtoirmisctear táirgí a dhíorthaítear ó rónta a mhonarú agus a chur ar an margadh agus ghlac an Ísiltír Foraithne an 4 Iúil 2007 lena leasaítear an Ionstraim Flora agus Fauna (Foraithne maidir le Speicis Ainmhithe agus Plandaí a ainmniú) agus an Foraithne maidir le Speicis Chosanta Ainmhithe agus Plandaí (Díolúine) i ndáil le trádáil i dtáirgí róin Ghraonlaigh agus i dtáirgí róin chochallaigh a thoirmeasc. Tá sé beartaithe ag an nGearmáin Ionstraim a ghlacadh lena dtoirmisceofar táirgí róin a allmhairiú, a phróiseáil, agus a chur ar an margadh. Ní fhéadfar tionscnaimh dá leithéidí ó Bhallstáit eile a chur as an áireamh amach anseo.

- Existing provisions in the area of the proposal

- Forálacha atá ann cheana i réimse an togra

Trade in seal products is subject to a certain extent to existing Community provisions, the scope and rationale of which are however significantly different.

Go dtí pointe tá an trádáil i dtáirgí róin áirithe faoi réir forálacha Comhphobail atá ann cheana, ach tá raon feidhme agus réasúnaíocht na bhforálacha seo an-difriúil.

Council Directive 83/129/EEC of 28 March 1983 prohibits the commercial importation into Member States of skins of certain seal pups[5] and products derived therefrom[6]. The Directive was adopted further to various studies which had have raised doubts concerning the population status of the harp and hooded seals, and especially as to the effect of non-traditional hunting on the conservation and population status of hooded seals. As hunting, as traditionally practised by the Inuit people, leaves seal pups unharmed, the Directive does not apply to products resulting from this particular form of hunting.

Toirmisctear i dTreoir 83/129/CEE ón gComhairle an 28 Márta 1983 craicne laonna róin áirithe[5] agus táirgí a ndíorthaítear uathu[6] a allmhairiú isteach sna Ballstáit chun críocha tráchtála. Glacadh an Treoir de thoradh staidéar éagsúil a chruthaigh imní maidir le líon na rónta Graonlannacha agus na rónta cochallacha, agus go háirithe maidir le tionchar atá ag fiach neamhthraidisiúnta ar chaomhnú agus líon na rónta cochallacha. Ós rud é nach ndéantar aon dochar do laonna róin leis an bhfiach seo, mar a chleachtann an pobal Ionúiteach é, níl feidhm ag an Treoir maidir le táirgí a thig as an gcineáil fiaigh seo.

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora[7] protects all seal species present in the Community. As with all other species (and habitats) covered by the Directive, the overall aim thereof is to maintain or restore a favourable conservation status with regard to the seal species occurring in the Community.

Cosnaítear le Treoir 92/43/CEE ón gComhairle an 21 Bealtaine 1992 maidir le caomhnú gnáthóga nadúrtha agus le fauna agus flora fiáine[7] gach speiceas róin atá sa Chomhphobal. Dála na speiceas go léir (agus na gnáthóga go léir) eile a fholaítear le Treoir, is é is aidhm iomlán di stádas comhnaithe fabhrach a chothabháil nó a athshlánú maidir leis na speicis róin atá sa Chomhphobal.

As part of the measures designed to achieve this goal, Article 15 of the Directive prohibits the use of all indiscriminate means capable of causing local disappearance of, or serious disturbance to, populations of such species. The prohibited methods and means of capture and killing are listed in Annex VI (a) and the prohibited forms of capture and killing from modes of transport are listed in Annex VI (b).

Mar chuid de na bearta a ceapadh chun an cuspóir a chur i gcrích, toirmisctear in Airteagal 15 den Treoir na modhanna neamh-idirdhealaitheacha uile a chuirfeadh deireadh leis na speicis sin, nó a chuirfeadh isteach orthu go mór. Tá na modhanna agus slite gabhála agus maraithe liostaithe in Iarscríbhinn VI (a) agus tá na cineálacha gabhála agus maraithe ó mhodhanna iompair liostaithe in Iarscríbhinn VI (b).

The Directive prohibits all forms of deliberate capture or killing of specimens of those species listed in its Annex IV (a), which include the following seal species: Monachus monachus and Phoca hispida saimensis . It also requires Member States, in the light of the surveillance of the conservation status of the species concerned, to ensure that the taking in the wild of specimens of those species of wild fauna listed in Annex V – which includes all seal species occurring in the Community not listed in Annex IV – as well as their exploitation is compatible with their being maintained at a favourable conservation status. Such measures may include the regulation of the methods of taking specimens, the application, when specimens are taken, of hunting rules which take account of the conservation of such populations, or the regulation of the purchase, sale, offering for sale, keeping for sale or transport for sale of specimens.

Toirmisctear sa Treoir gach cineál gabhála agus maraithe d'aon turas eiseamail na speiceas sin atá liostaithe in Iarscríbhinn IV (a) a ghabhann léi, lena n-áirítear na speicis róin seo a leanas: monachus monachus agus p hoca hispida saimensis . Ceanglaítear freisin, i bhfianaise faireacháin ar stádas caomhnaithe na speiceas lena mbaineann, go n-áiritheoidh na Ballstáit freisin gcuireann gabháil eiseamail na speiceas sin fauna fiáine atá liostaithe in Iarscríbhinn V - n-áirithítear gach speiceas atá atá sa Chomhphobal nach bhfuil liostaithe in Iarscríbhinn IV - chomh maith lena saothrú, isteach ar a stádas caomhnaithe a choimeád ar leibhéal fabhrach. D’Fhéadfaidh a bheith san áireamh sna bearta sin modhanna gabhála eiseamal a rialú, rialacha fiaigh a chuireann san áireamh caomhnú na rónta sin agus eiseamail á ngabháil a chur i bhfeidhm, nó eiseamail a cheannach, a dhíol, a thairiscint lena ndíol nó a iompar lena ndíol a rialú.

Member States are obliged to report every six years on the implementation of the measures taken under Directive 92/43. The latest reporting period covered 2001-2006 and revealed information for the first time on the conservation status of all seal species to which the Directive applies.

Tá sé d'oibligeáid ar na Ballstáit tuarascáil a ullmhú gach sé bliana maidir leis na bearta a glacadh faoi Threoir 92/43 a chur chun feidhme. D'fholaíodh sa tréimhse tuarascála is déanaí 2001-2006 agus nocht sé faisnéis den chéad uair i ndáil le stádas caomhnaithe na speiceas róin go léir a bhfuil feidhm ag an Treoir maidir leo.

Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein[8] implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) within the Community. The aim of the Regulation (and of Cites) is to guarantee the conservation of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein. Pursuant to Cites and the Regulation, trade will only take place if it does not threaten the survival of the species concerned. Several species of Pinnipeds are listed in either Appendix I or II to Cites and the corresponding Annexes A and B to the Regulation. The proposal for a Regulation only covers one species – the Namibian Cape fur seal ( Arctocephalus pusillius pusillus ) –, which is also currently listed under Cites (Appendix II thereof).

Le Rialachán Uimh. 338/97 ón gComhairle an 9 Nollaig 1996 maidir le speicis fauna agus flora fiáine a chosaint trí thrádáil iontu a rialú[8], déantar an Coinbhinsiún maidir le Trádáil Idirnáisiúnta i Speicis Fauna agus Flora Fiáine i mBaol (CITES) a chur chun feidhme laistigh den Chomhphobal. Is é is aidhm don Rialachán (agus do CITES) caomhnú speiceas fauna agus flora fiáine a ráthú trí thrádáil iontu a rialú. De bhun CITES agus an Rialacháin, ní tharlóidh trádáil ach amháin sa chás nach gcuirfidh sí teacht slán na speiceas lena mbaineann i mbaol. Tá roinnt speiceas Eite-chosach liostaithe i bhFoscríbhinn I nó II a ghabhann le CITES agus in hIarscríbhinní comhfhreagracha A agus B a ghabhann leis an Rialachán. Ní fholaítear sa togra le haghaidh Rialacháin ach speiceas amháin – rón fionnaidh Rinn Namaib (a rctocephalus pusillius pusillus ) -, atá liostaithe faoi láthair faoi CITES (Foscríbhinn II a ghabhann leis).

In summary, the existing legislation pursues conservation objectives and its actual implementation depends to a certain extent (at least with respect to Directive 92/43) of the evolution in the conservation status of the species concerned. In any case, it does not prohibit all commercial activities in respect of all seal species as purports this proposal for a Regulation, nor does it address specifically the methods whereby seals are killed and skinned from an animal welfare viewpoint.

Go hachomair, díríítear sa reachtaíocht atá ann cheana ar chuspóirí caomhnaithe agus braitheann a cur chun feidhme iarbhír go pointe áirithe (ar a laghad i leith Threoir 92/43) ar éabhlóid stádas caomhnaithe an speicis lena mbaineann. Cibé ar bith, ní thoirmisctear inti gach gníomhaíocht tráchtála i leith gach speicis róin mar a airbheartaítear sa togra seo le haghaidh Rialacháin, ná ní dhírítear inti go sonrach ó thaobh seasaimh leasa ainmhithe de ar mhodhanna ina maraítear agus ina bhfeanntar rónta.

- Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the Union

- Comhchuibheas le beartais agus cuspóirí eile an Aontais

The protection of animal welfare is a legitimate objective which the Community can pursue in the public interest when exercising the legislative powers conferred upon it by the EC Treaty[9]. Animal welfare considerations are taken into account by the Community legislature in various fields. In certain areas, such as the internal market, Community institutions are even bound to pay full regard to animal welfare requirements when legislating[10].

Is cuspóir dleathach é cosaint leasa ainmhithe agus is féidir leis an Comhphobal í a shaothrú ar mhaithe le leas an phobail nuair a fheidhmíonn sé na cumhachtaí reachtacha a thugtar do leis an gConradh AE[9]. Cuirtear cúrsaí leasa ainmhithe san áireamh i reachtas an Chomhphobail i réimsí éagsúla. I réimsí áirithe, amhail an margadh inmheánach, tá sé de cheangal fiú ar institiúidí an Chomhphobail lánaird a thabhairt ar cheanglais leasa ainmhithe agus iad ag rith reachtaíochta[10].

Animal welfare is also at the centre of the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010[11]. This Action Plan reflects the Protocol to the EC Treaty on the Protection of Animals defined as sentient beings. As agreed at the time of the adoption of the Action Plan and in order to support the harmonisation of animal welfare standards adopted in the Community both on public and private bases, the Commission has launched a feasibility study to create a European Centre for the Protection and Welfare of Animals. The European Centre could be developed in a way to assist the Community and Member States in the management of animal welfare issues both at Community and international level. As and when established, such a Centre could for instance assist the Commission in the implementation of the labelling/marking requirements whose basic features are to be established by this Regulation.

Croílár Phlean Gníomhaíochta an Chomhphobail maidir le Leas agus Cosaint Ainmhithe 2006-2010 [11].is ea leas ainmhithe. Léirítear sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta seo an Prótacal a ghabhann leis an gConradh AE maidir le Cosaint Ainmhithe a shainmhínítear mar neacha mothaitheacha. Mar a comhaontaíodh tráth ar glacadh an Plean Gníomhaíochta agus d'fhonn tacú le comhchuibhiú caighdeán leasa ainmhithe a ghlactar sa Chomhphobal go poiblí agus go príobháideach, tá an Coimisiún tar éis staidéar indéantachta a láinseáil chun Ionad Eorpach um Chosaint agus Leas Ainmhithe a chruthú. D'fhéadfaí an Lárionad Eorpach a fhorbairt ar bhealach a chuideodh leis an gComhphobal agus na Ballstáit ceisteanna leasa ainmhithe a bhainistiú ar leibhéal an Chomhphobail agus ar leibhéal idirnáisiúnta araon. De réir mar a bhunófar agus nuair a bhunófar é, d'fhéadfadh an Lárionad sin cuidiú leis an gCoimisiún agus é ag cur chun feidhme na ceanglais lipéadaithe/marcála a mbeidh a ngnéithe bunúsacha le leagan síos sa Rialachán seo.

There is no conflict between this proposal and other existing Community legislation (see above): the former focuses on animal welfare considerations while the latter addresses conservation issues and, insofar as this Regulation would impose stricter provisions in terms of trade, it could perfectly do so as the existing Community legislation only provides for minimum requirements. Conversely, should trade in seal products be allowed to occur under the benefit of a derogation, it is necessary to ensure that the specific regimes provided for under the existing Community legislation continues to apply.

Níl aon neamhréireacht idir an togra seo agus an reachtaíocht Chomhphobail atá ann cheana (féach thuas): Dírítear sa chéad cheann ar cheisteanna leasa ainmhithe agus, sa mhéid is go bhforchuirfeadh an Rialachán seo forálacha níos déine i dtéarmaí trádála, d'fhéadfaí é a dhéanamh go foirfe mar nach ndéantar foráil sa reachtaíocht Chomhphobail atá ann cheana ach d'íoscheanglais. I gcor dá mhalairt, dá gceadófaí trádáil i dtáirgí róin faoi mhaolú, tá sé riachtanach a áirithiú go leanfadh na córais dá bhforáiltear faoin reachtaíocht Chomhphobail atá ann cheana ar aghaidh.

As to the import ban, it is in conformity with Article XX(a) of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), under which the adoption or enforcement by any contracting party of measures necessary to protect public morals is allowed provided that such measures are not applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination. The proposed Regulation is non-discriminatory as the various prohibitions it provides for will apply to intra-Community trade as well as to imports and exports.

Maidir leis an toirmeasc ar allmhairiú, tá sé i gcomhréir le hAirteagal XX(a) den Chomhaontú Ginearálta um Tharaifí agus Thrádáil (CGTT), faoina gceadaítear d'aon pháirtí conarthach na bearta is gá a ghlacadh nó a chur i bhfeidhm chun moráltacht phoiblí a chosaint, ar an gcoinníoll nach gcuirtear na bearta sin i bhfeidhm ar dhóigh a bheadh ina idirdhealú treallach nó dochosanta. Tá an Rialachán atá beartaithe neamh-idirdhealaitheach mar go mbeidh feidhm ag na toirmisc éagsúla dá bhforáiltear leis maidir le trádáil laistigh den Chomhphobal agus maidir le hallmhairithe agus onnmhairithe chomh maith.

2. CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT

2. Comhairliúchán leis na páirtithe leasmhara agus measúnú tionchair

( Consultation of interested parties

( Comhairliúchán leis na páirtithe leasmhara

Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents

Modhanna comhairliúcháin, na príomhearnálacha a bhfuiltear ag díriú orthu agus próifíl ghinearálta na bhfreagróirí

An Internet-based public consultation was conducted by the European Commission providing the possibility for EU citizens as well as non-EU citizens to express their views on regulation of seal hunting, as an input to the policy-making process. 73,153 answers were received from citizens in 160 countries worldwide. This high number of responses (and additionally around 1,350 e-mails) indicates that seal hunting is a very salient issue to a large number of citizens. The responses showed massive dissatisfaction with current seal hunting practices, at least how they are perceived by the general public. A clear majority of respondents in nearly all the geographical area analysed preferred a ban. The majority of respondents resided in the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada.

Mar ionchur sa phróiseas ceaptha beartais, sheol an Coimisiún Eorpach comhairliúchán poiblí bunaithe ar an idirlíon a thug deis do shaoránaigh an AE chomh maith le daoine nach saoránaigh an AE iad a mbarúlacha a chur in iúl maidir le fiach róin a rialáil. Fuarthas 73 153 freagra ó shaoránaigh i 160 tír ar fud an domhain. Léiríonn an líon mór freagairtí (agus timpeall 1 350 r-phost sa bhreis air sin) gur ceist shuntasach í an fiach róin dar le líon mór saoránach. Léiríonn na freagairtí go bhfuiltear thar a bheith míshásta leis na cleachtais fiaigh róin mar atá faoi láthair, nó ar a laghad mar a bhraitheann an pobal i gcoitinne iad. Toirmeasc an rud ab fhearr le formhór soiléir na bhfreagróirí i mbeagnach gach limistéar geografach a ndearnadh anailísiú air. Bhí cónaí ag formhór na bhfreagóirí sa Ríocht Aontaithe, i SAM agus i gCeanada

Furthermore, a stakeholder consultation was organised by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) in the framework of its work to establish a scientific opinion on the animal welfare aspects of the killing and skinning of seals (see below). The stakeholders were invited to express their opinion on the completeness and reliability of the data presented in the draft report prepared by the EFSA working group, in order to avoid any possibility of leaving out some important scientific evidence. Moreover, the European Commission organised a workshop with experts from sealing countries, animal welfare non-governmental organisations as well as fur trade and hunters associations with the objective to receive feed-back on the factual information under the country reporting exercise (national hunt management systems) conducted in the framework of the overall Commission assessment. Bilateral meetings were also held with a whole range of stakeholders and took place at political as well as at technical level.

Thairis sin, d'eagraigh an tÚdarás Eorpach um Shábháilteacht Bia (UESB) comhairliúchán geallsealbhóirí faoi chuimsiú a obair chun tuairim eolaíoch a bhunú maidir le gnéithe leasa ainmhithe agus rónta á marú agus á bhfeannadh (féach thíos). Iarradh ar na geallsealbhóirí a dtuairimí a chur in iúl maidir le hiomláine agus le hiontaofacht na sonraí a tíolacadh sa dréacht-thuarascáil a d'ullmhaigh grúpa oibre UESB, ionas nach mbeadh aon seans go bhfágfaí aon fhianaise thábhachtach eolaíoch ar lár. Thairis sin, d'eagraigh an Coimisiún Eorpach ceardlann le saineolaithe ó thíortha ina saothraítear rónta, ó eagraíochtaí neamhrialtasacha leasa ainmhithe agus ó chomhlachais trádála fionnaidh agus fiagaithe d'fhonn aiseolas a fháil ar na sonraí fíorais a úsáideadh sa chóras tuarascála tuaithe (na córais bainistíochta fiach náisiúnta) a seoladh faoi chuimsiú mheasúnú foriomlán an Choimisiúin. Tionóladh cruinnithe déthaobhacha le réimse mór geallsealbhóirí ar leibhéal polaitiúil agus ar leibhéal teicniúil araon.

Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account

Achoimre ar na freagairtí agus ar an tslí ar cuireadh san áireamh iad

The results of the consultation showed that many respondents are against seal hunting for reasons of principle, which again may be rooted in a certain perception of the human-nature relation. However, the results also showed that for some respondents the level of acceptability of seal hunting is influenced by how the seal hunt is managed and undertaken, and for what reasons.

Léirigh torthaí an chomhairliúcháin go bhfuil a lán freagróirí i gcoinne an fhiaigh róin ar phrionsabail, rud a d'fhéadfadh a bheith fréamhaithe i meabhairbhrath áirithe den chaidreamh idir daoine agus nádúr. Mar sin féin, léirigh na torthaí freisin, i gcás roinnt freagróirí, go mbaineann inghlacthacht an fhiaigh róin leis an gcaoi mbainistítear agus a gcuirtear i gcrích an fiach róin agus ar na cúiseanna atá leis an bhfiach.

The proposal takes the outcome of the consultations held into account as it seeks to respond to the concerns expressed as to the placing on the Community market, including further from imports from third countries, of seal products obtained from seals that might not have been killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and other forms of suffering. Furthermore, the overall scheme of the proposal is so designed as to give incentives to sealing countries to improve the methods in which seals are killed and skinned.

Cuirtear san áireamh sa togra toradh na gcomhairliúchán a seoladh agus é ag iarraidh dul i ngleic leis an imní a cuireadh in iúl maidir le táirgí róin a fuarthas ó rónta a d'fhéadfadh nár maraíodh agus nár feannadh ar bhealach nár ábhar péine, anacra agus cineálacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é, a chur ar mhargadh an Chomhphobail lena n-áirítear allmhairithe ó thríú tíortha. Thairis sin, ceapadh scéim foriomlán an togra chun dreasachtaí a thabhairt do thíortha ina saothraítear rónta chun na modhanna maraithe agus feannta rónta a fheabhsú.

( Collection and use of expertise

( Bailiú agus úsáid saineolais

The Commission, in its response to the European Parliament on 16 January 2007, recognised the high level of public concerns regarding the animal welfare aspects of seal hunting. In line with its commitment to high animal welfare standards, it undertook to make a full objective assessment of the animal welfare aspects of seal hunting and, based on the results, to report back to the European Parliament with possible legislative proposals if warranted by the situation. The Commission carried out its assessment on the basis of various elements, among which, as far recourse to expertise is concerned, the independent scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and a study commissioned to support the impact assessment process.

D'aithin an Coimisiún, ina fhreagairt do Pharlaimint na hEorpa an 16 Eanáir 2007, leibhéal ard imní an phobail i dtaca le gnéithe leasa ainmhithe an fhiaigh róin. I gcomhréir lena ghealltanas maidir le caighdeáin leasa ainmhithe, thug sé faoi mheasúnú oibiachtúil iomlán a dhéanamh ar ghnéithe leasa ainmhithe an fhiaigh róin agus, i bhfianaise na dtorthaí, tuarascáil a thabhairt do Pharlaimint na hEorpa ina dhiaidh sin ina mbeidh tograí reachtacha féideartha dá mba ghá é. Rinne an Coimisiún a mheasúnú ar bhonn eilimintí éagsúla, lena n-áirítear, a mhéid a bhaineann le húsáid saineolais, tuairim eolaíoch neamhspleách ón Údarás Eorpach um Shábháilteacht Bia (UESB) agus staidéar arna choimisiúnú chun tacú leis an bpróiseas measúnaithe iarmharta.

In follow-up to the request from the European Commission in May 2007, EFSA adopted on 6 December 2007 an independent scientific opinion on the animal welfare aspects of methods for the killing and skinning of seals[12].

I ndiaidh iarraidh ón gCoimisiún Eorpach i mBealtaine 2007, ghlac UESB an 6 Nollaig 2007 tuairim eolaíoch neamhspleách maidir le gnéithe leasa ainmhithe agus rónta á marú agus á bhfeannadh[12].

EFSA concluded that "it is possible to kill seals rapidly and effectively without causing them avoidable pain or distress. However, the Panel also reported evidence that, in practice, effective and humane killing does not always happen".

Bhain UESB de thátal aisti gur "féidir rónta a mharú go tapa agus go héifeachtúil ar bhealach nach ábhar péine ná anacra inseachanta dóibh é . Mar sin féin, léirigh an Painéal go bhuil fianaise ann nach maraítear na rónta, i gcleachtas, go héifeachtúil agus go daonnachtúil i gcónaí."

EFSA does not explicitly take position on the methods currently used for killing and skinning seals. It rather establishes a number of criteria for assessing the acceptability of methods applied in the different seal hunts.

Níl aon tuairim oifigiúil ag UESB maidir le modhanna a úsáidtear faoi láthair chun rónta a mharú agus a fheannadh. Is amhlaidh a bhunaíonn sé roinnt critéar chun inghlacthacht modhanna a chuirtear i bhfeidhm i bhfiaigh éagsúla róin a mheasúnú.

Given the scarcity of robust, scientifically peer reviewed data, the EFSA Risk Assessment process was conducted in a qualitative way. Nevertheless, the general conclusions and recommendations are considered to be rigorous enough to inform the policy-making process.

Ó tharla nach bhfuil go leor sonraí láidre ann a bhfuil piarmheasúnú eolaíoch déanta orthu, cuireadh i gcrích próiseas Mheasúnú Riosca UESB ar bhealach cáilíochtúil. Mar sin féin, meastar go bhfuil na conclúidí agus na moltaí láidir go leor chun an próiseas ceaptha beartais a mhúnlú.

Building upon the EFSA scientific opinion, a study (commissioned by the Commission)[13] examined the regulatory frameworks for, and the management practices of, the different seal hunts.

I bhfianaise thuairim eolaíoch UESB, rinneadh scrúdú i staidéar (a choimisiúnaigh an Coimisiún)[13] ar na creata rialúcháin le haghaidh na bhfiach éagsúil róin agus ar a gcleachtais bainistíochta.

Legislative and enforcement provisions in a number of sealing countries, both within the European Community and beyond were assessed and best practices identified. The assessments were based on desk study research and information provided during the overall consultation process; the study team did not visit all the range states worldwide.

Rinneadh forálacha reachtacha agus forfheidhmithe i roinnt tíortha ina saothraítear rónta, laistigh den Chomhphobal agus lasmuigh, a mheasúnú agus rinneadh dea-chleachtais a shainaithint. Bunaíodh na méasúnuithe ar staidéar taighde doiciméadach agus ar fhaisnéis a soláthraíodh i rith an phróisis ghinearálta; níor thug an fhoireann taighde cuairt ar na stáit raoin go léir ar fud an domhain.

The study also assessed the impact of a possible ban of seal products on trade and other socio-economic aspects.

Chomh maith leis sin, rinneadh measúnú sa staidéar ar an iarmhairt a bheadh ag toirmeasc féideartha ar tháirgí róin ar thrádáil agus ar ghnéithe eile socheacnamaíocha.

( Impact assessment

( Measúnú iarmharta

Both legislative and non-legislative policy measures were considered in the impact assessment. Furthermore, policy measures that are not linked directly to seal hunt management systems, such as a total prohibition of placing on the Community market and/or of imports/exports, as well as measures that could be linked to the good or bad practices of the seal hunt management systems, were analysed.

Rinneadh bearta beartais reachtacha agus neamhreachtacha araon a mheas sa mheasúnú iarmharta. Thairis sin, rinneadh anailís ar bhearta beartais nach mbaineann go díreach le córais lena mbainistítear fiaigh róin, amhail toirmeasc iomlán ar tháirgí róin a chur ar mhargadh an Chomhphobail agus/nó a allmhairiú/onnmhairiú, chomh maith le bearta a d'fhéadfadh baint a bheith acu le dea-chleachtais nó droch-chleachtais na gcóras bainistíochta fiach róin.

The environmental dimension of the assessment is limited to the impacts of animal welfare aspects for seals which, however, are difficult to measure because the effectiveness of killing methods used for seals vary according to the methods used, the skill of the operators and the environmental conditions. Furthermore, economic impacts are limited to those impacts to trade and local economies, both on the side of the sealing countries as well as of potential transit and transformation countries, while the social dimension touches mainly upon the conditions for the Inuit population.

Tá gné chomhshaoil an mheasúnaithe teoranta d’iarmhairtí na ngnéithe leasa ainmhithe ar rónta atá, áfach, deacair a thomhas mar go n-athraíonn éifeachtúlacht na modhanna maraithe a úsáidtear de réir na modhanna a úsáidtear, de réir scil na n-oibreoirí agus de réir na gcoinníollacha comhshaoil. Thairis sin, tá na hiarmhairtí eacnamaíocha teoranta d’iarmhairtí sin ar thrádáil agus ar gheilleagair áitiúla, sna tíortha ina saothraítear rónta agus sna tíortha ina mbíonn táirgí róin ar idirthuras agus á gclaochlú araon, agus baineann an ghné shóisialta go príomha leis na coinníollacha maidir leis an bpobal Ionúiteach.

A total prohibition of placing on the Community market of seal products is assessed to have minor economic impacts in Member States of the Community. This assumes, however, that transhipment of sealskins and other seal products and imports of sealskins for further processing and exports can continue. The impacts are assessed to be slightly more significant for non-Community range states. This is a result of the fact that the size of the seal hunts in these non-Community countries are much larger than in the Community range states, and that the Community market - apart for Russia - is of some importance. This option would also deny consumers the choice to purchase seal products in the Community.

Measúnaítear nach mbeadh ach iarmhairt eacnamaíoch an-bheag ar Bhallstáit an Chomhphobail dá ndéanfaí toirmeasc iomlán ar tháirgí róin a chur ar mhargadh an Chomhphobail. Tá sé seo ar an mbonn tuisceana, áfach, gur féidir leanúint de bheith ag trasloingiú craicne róin agus táirgí róin eile agus craicne róin a allmhairiú le haghaidh tuilleadh próiseála agus le haghaidh onnmhairiú. Measúnaítear go mbeidh na hiarmhairtí beagán níos suntasaí i gcás na stát raoin neamh-Chomhphobail. Na fiaigh róin sna tíortha neamh-Chomhphobail seo a bheith i bhfad níos mó ná mar atá i stáit raoin an Chomhphobail, agus margadh an Chomhphobail a bheith - cé is moite den Rúis - tábhachtach go leor is cúis le seo. Lena chois sin, d’fhágfadh an rogha seo nach mbeadh an rogha ag tomhaltóirí táirgí róin a cheannach sa Chomhphobal.

A total prohibition of imports and exports would have medium economic impacts on the Community Member States, although those impacts could be significant for Finland and Germany, if such ban would also cover transit trade. The impacts would be slightly higher for the non-Community range states. This is again a result of the fact that the size of the seal hunts in non-Community countries is much larger than in the Community range states, and that the Community market - apart for Russia - is of some importance. However, if the ban is extended to transit trade, Canada will in particular suffer, unless this trade can be shifted from Germany and Finland to outside of the Community (for instance to. Norway). Hence, Norway may actually strengthen its position as a transit trader. With regard to consumers they would only have a very limited choice of seal products derived from seal species hunted in the Community and offered for sale on local markets only.

Bheadh iarmhairtí eacnamaíocha meánacha ar Bhallstáit an Chomhphobail dá gcuirfí toirmeasc iomlán ar allmhairí agus onnmhairí, cé go bhféadfadh iarmhairtí suntasacha bheith ann don Fhionlainn agus don Ghearmáin, dá bhfolófaí táirgí ar idirthuras sa toirmeasc sin. Bheadh na hiarmhairtí beagán níos airde i gcás na stát raoin neamh-Chomhphobail. Arís, na fiaigh róin sna tíortha neamh-Chomhphobail seo a bheith i bhfad níos mó ná mar atá i stáit raoin an Chomhphobail, agus margadh an Chomhphobail a bheith - cé is moite den Rúis - tábhachtach go leor is cúis leis seo. Má leathnaítear an toirmeasc, áfach, ionas go bhfolófar trádáil táirgí ar idirthuras, beidh Ceanada go háirithe thíos leis, murar féidir an trádáil seo a aistriú ón nGearmáin agus ón bhFionlainn go tír lasmuigh den Chomhphobal (go dtí an Iorua, mar shampla). Da bhrí sin, d’fhéadfadh an Iorua a stádas mar thrádálaí táirgí ar idirthuras a neartú. Maidir le tomhaltóirí, ní bheadh acu ach rogha an-teoranta táirgí róin a dhíothaítear ó speicis róin a dhéantar a fhiach sa Chomhphobal agus a thairiscint lena ndíol ar mhargaí áitiúla amháin.

Denmark and Italy are by far the two largest importers of raw fur skin from seal for further processing/sales on the Community market, and will thus also be affected by such regulation. Denmark imports the raw fur skins directly coming from Canada and Greenland (that are not categorised as goods in transit), while Italy imports the raw fur skins from Russia, Finland and the UK (Scotland). Greece also has a noticeable trade in raw skins originating in the two latter range states.

Is iad an Danmhairg agus an Iodáil go mór fada thar aon tíortha eile a allmhairíonn chraiceann fionnaidh amh le haghaidh tuilleadh próiseála/díolacháin ar mhargadh an Chomhphobail, agus dá bhrí sin beidh siadsan faoi thionchar a leithéid de rialáil chomh maith. Allmhairíonn an Danmhairg na craicne fionnaidh amha isteach ó Cheanada agus ón nGraonlainn (nach ndéantar a aicmiú mar tháirgí ar idirthuras nuair is ón nGraonlainn iad) agus allmhairíonn an Iodáil craicne fionnaidh amha isteach ón Rúis, ón bhFionlainn agus ón Ríocht Aontaithe (Alba). Tá trádáil shuntasach freisin ag an nGréig i gcraicne amha leis an dá stát raoin a luadh go deireanach.

Benefits from a labelling system might include a price mark-up on the consumer market and at the same an increase of the image of seal hunting in general. If the system is voluntary, it might encourage a natural self-selection process regarding compliance and thus maintain the balance between the animal welfare, economic and social dimensions, i.e. those who pursue the label might benefit more than it costs, and the welfare of the seals could be enhanced. Furthermore, it is assessed that the impact will be largest if it is a widespread international labelling system rather than a specific Community system.

D'fhéadfadh sé go n-áireofaí sna sochair a thig as córas lipéadaithe uasmharcáil praghais ar mhargadh an tomhaltóra agus feabhas ar íomha an fhiaigh róin i gcoitinne. Más córas deonach é, d'fhéadfadh sé go spreagfadh sé próiseas féin-roghnaithe maidir le comhlíonadh agus mar sin go gcoimeádfaí an chothromaíocht idir leas ainmhithe agus gnéithe eacnamaíocha agus sóisialta, i.e. gur mhó an tairbhe a bhainfeadh na daoine a úsáideann an lipéad as ná an costas, agus go gcuirfí le leas rónta. Thairis sin, meastar go mbeidh an iarmhairt is mó ann más córas lipéadaithe idirnáisiúnta forleathan seachas córas sonrach Comhphobail a bheidh ann.

Bi-/multilateral agreements between the Community and one or more range states could be made, which could enlarge the geographical area not to be covered by any legislative measures. The impact will be similar to that of a limited ban that allows trade if the hunting of the seals complies with some established standards as discussed above.

D'fhéadfaí comhaontuithe déthaobhacha/iltaobhacha a dhéanamh idir an Comhphobal agus stát raoin amháin nó níos mó ná stát raoin amháin, a mhéadódh an limistéar geografach nach gclúdófaí le haon bhearta reachtacha. Beidh an iarmhairt cosúil leis an iarmhairt dá mbeadh toirmeasc teoranta ann lena cheadaítear trádáil má chomhlíontar i bhfiach na rónta roinnt caighdeán atá bunaithe, mar a pléadh thuas.

Given the animal welfare concerns expressed by the public, the European Parliament and Member States, stand-alone non-legislative measures are not considered sufficient to address the issue.

I bhfianaise na himní maidir le leas ainmhithe a chuir an pobal, Parlaimint na hEorpa agus na Ballstáit in iúl, ní mheastar gur leor bearta neamhreachtacha aonair chun dul i ngleic leis an gceist.

The EFSA scientific opinion clearly indicates that there is reported evidence that, in practice, effective killing does not always happen, which is reinforced by the further assessment findings. There are therefore reasonable grounds to consider undertaking precautionary steps to ensure that products derived from seals, which are killed and skinned in a way that causes them avoidable pain, distress and suffering, are denied access to the Community market.

Léirítear i dtuairim eolaíoch UESB go soiléir go bhfuil fianaise a tuairiscíodh, nach maraítear rónta, i gcleachtas, go héifeachtúil i gcónaí, agus neartaítear an tuairim seo i gcinntí measúnaithe breise. Dá bhrí sin, tá forais réasúnacha ann chun céimeanna réamhchúramacha a ghlacadh chun a áirithiú go ndiúltófar rochtain do tháirgí a dhíorthaítear ó rónta, a mharaítear agus a fheanntar ar bhealach ar ábhar péine, anacra agus fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é, ar an gComhphobal.

Labelling alone of seal products is not an alternative to a ban on trade in those products as labelling would only be relevant to assuage the ethical animal welfare concerns of citizens and consumers as and when the killing and skinning methods in force in the sealing countries would accord with the criteria provided for in this Regulation. There should therefore be incentives for sealing countries to adapt their legislation and practice to that effect, which can only be achieved by means of trade prohibitions.

Ní leor lipéadú táirgí ann féin mar mhalairt ar thoirmeasc ar thrádáil sna táirgí sin mar ní bheadh an lipéadú ábhartha ach amháin chun an imní eiticiúil atá ar na saoránaigh agus na dtomhaltóirí maidir le leas na n-ainmhithe a laghdú de réir mar a chomhallfaí na critéir dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo maidir leis na modhanna maraithe agus feannta atá i bhfeidhm i dtíortha ina saothraítear rónta. Ba chóir go mbeadh dreasachtaí ann do thíortha ina saothraítear rónta chun go n-oiriúnóidis a reachtaíocht agus a gcleachtas chun na críocha sin, rud nach féidir a chur i gcrích ach amháin le toirmisc ar thrádáil.

3. LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL

3. Eilimintí dlíthiúla an togra

- Summary of the proposed action

- Achoimre ar an ngníomh atá beartaithe

This proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council is intended to ban the placing on the market and the import in, transit through, and the export from the Community of seal products. Trade in those products would however be possible when certain conditions, which concern the manner and method whereby seals are killed and skinned, are met. It also establishes information requirements aimed at ensuring that seal products whose trade would be possible by derogation to the prohibitions otherwise in force would be clearly indicated as coming from a country meeting the above-mentioned conditions, or alternatively as having been killed and skinned by persons acting under the jurisdiction of countries where the said conditions are met.

Is é is aidhm leis an togra seo le haghaidh Rialacháin ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle toirmeasc a chur ar tháirgí róin a chur ar an margadh agus a allmhairiú isteach, a bheith ar idirthuras nó a onnmhairiú ón gComhphobal. D'fhéadfaí trádáil a dhéanamh sna táirgí sin, áfach, nuair a chomhlíonfar coinníollacha áirithe i ndáil leis an tslí agus an dóigh ina maraítear agus ina bhfeanntar na rónta. Bunaítear leis freisin ceanglais faisnéise a bhfuil sé d'aidhm acu a áirithiú go léireofaí go soiléir i gcás táirgí róin, a bhféadfaí trádáil faoi mhaolú ó na toirmisc a dhéanamh iontu, go dtagann siad ó thír a chomhlíonnann na coinníollacha thuas, nó gur daoine a bhí ag gníomhú faoi dhlínse tíortha ina gcomhlíontar na coinníollacha sin, na daoine a mharaigh na rónta agus a d’fheann iad.

- Legal basis

- Bunús Dlí

The proposal is based on Articles 95 and 133 of the Treaty. In the drafting of this proposal, the Commission has taken due account of the case law of the Court of Justice where the Court set up the conditions for the recourse to Article 95[14].

Tá an togra seo bunaithe ar Airteagal 95 agus 133 den Chonradh CE. Agus an togra seo á dhréachtú, thug an Coimisiún aird chuí ar chásdlí na Cúirte Breithiúnais, inar leag an Chúirt amach na coinníollacha chun leas a bhaint as Airteagal 95[14].

As the proposal also aims at banning imports and exports of the products in question from outside the Community, reference to the provisions of Article 133 is also necessary. The proposal has indeed a twofold component as it simultaneously pursues two different objectives (the ban on intra-Community trade and the ban on imports and exports) which are inseparably linked without one being secondary and indirect in relation to the other.

Toisc go bhfuil sé d'aidhm sa togra freisin toirmeasc a chur ar na táirgí i dtrácht a allmhairiú agus a onnmhairiú ó thíortha atá lasmuigh den Chomhphobal, tá gá le tagairt d'Airteagal 133 chomh maith. Tá comhpháirt dhébhiorach sa togra seo ar ndóigh mar go bhfuil dhá chuspóir ann san am céanna, (toirmeasc ar thrádáil laistigh den Chomhphobal agus toirmeasc ar allmhairithe agus ar onnmhairithe) atá i ndlúthnasc doscartha. Ní bheadh ceann amháin tánaisteach ná i gcoibhneas indíreach leis an gceann eile.

The procedures laid down for the adoption of Community legislation under Articles 95 and 133 respectively of the EC Treaty are not incompatible with each other.

Na nósanna imeachta a leagtar síos chun reachtaíocht Chomhphobail a ghlacadh faoi Airteagail 95 agus 133 faoi seach de Chonradh CE, níl siad neamh-chomhoiriúach dá chéile.

- Subsidiarity principle

- Prionsabal na coimhdeachta

The proposal aims at the harmonisation of laws concerning the trade in seal products. This harmonisation at Community level is necessary to eliminate the present fragmentation of the internal market, which results from the existing differences between Member States’ provisions governing the trade, import, production and marketing of seal products, while taking into account animal welfare considerations. Such result could only be obtained by measures taken at Community level since national measures, including total bans, are by definition only enforceable in parts of the internal market.

Tá sé d'aidhm sa togra dlíthe maidir le trádáil i dtáirgí róin a chomhchuibhiú. Tá gá leis an gcomhchuibhiú ar leibhéal an Chomhphobail chun deireadh a chur le hilroinnt an mhargaidh inmheánaigh faoi láthair, a thig as na difríochtaí atá ann faoi láthair idir forálacha na mBallstát lena rialaítear trádáil, a allmhairiú, táirgeadh agus margú táirgí róin, agus imní maidir le leas ainmhithe á cur san áireamh ag an am céanna. Ní fhéadfaí toradh dá leithéid a bhaint amach trí bhíthin beart a ghlacfaí ar leibhéal an Chomhphobail ós rud é nach féidir, bearta náisiúnta, lena n-áirítear toirmisc iomlána, ó tharla gur bearta teoranta don náisiún iad, a chur i bhfeidhm ach amháin i gcodanna den mhargadh inmheánach.

Similarly, the possible continuance of trade in seal products, by derogation to the prohibitions otherwise applicable, are better taken at Community level as this ensures that uniform conditions are met before derogations are granted and that trade of those products benefiting from derogations is governed by harmonised rules throughout the internal market. The same reasoning holds true with respect to the labelling and marking requirements applying to products benefiting from derogations, as national legislation on the same subject would by definition not be applicable in the whole Community and would lead to market fragmentation.

Ar an dóigh céanna, is fearr cinntí maidir le cé acu is féidir nó nach féidir leanúint de bheith ag trádáil táirgí róin, de mhaolú ó na toirmisc atá infheidhme ar shlí eile, a ghlacadh ar leibhéal an Chomhphobail mar go n-áiríthítear leis seo go gcomhlíontar coinníollacha aonfhoirmeacha sula ndeontar na maoluithe agus go rialaítear trádáil sna táirgí sin atá faoi réir maoluithe le rialacha comhchuibhithe ar fud an mhargaidh inmheánaigh. Tá an réasúnaíocht seo fíor i leith ceanglas lipéadaithe agus margaíochta a bhfuil feidhm acu maidir le táirgí atá faoi réir maoluithe, ós rud é nach mbeadh an reachtaíocht náisiúnta maidir leis an ábhar céanna, infheidhme sa Chomhphobal ina iomláne agus go dtiocfadh ilroinnt an mhargaidh aisti.

The proposal therefore complies with the subsidiarity principle.

Dá bhrí sin, comhlíonann an togra prionsabal na coimhdeachta.

- Proportionality principle and choice of instruments

- Prionsabal na comhréireachta agus rogha ionstraimí

The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reason(s).

Comhlíonann an togra prionsabal na comhréireachta ar an cúis/na cúiseanna seo a leanas.

Labelling alone of seal products is not an alternative to a ban on trade in those products as labelling would only be relevant to assuage the ethical animal welfare concerns of citizens and consumers as and when the killing and skinning methods in force in the sealing countries would accord with the criteria provided for in this Regulation. There should therefore be incentives for sealing countries to adapt their legislation and practice to that effect, which can only be achieved by means of trade prohibitions.

Ní leor lipéadú táirgí amháin mar mhalairt ar thoirmeasc ar thrádáil sna táirgí sin mar ní bheadh an lipéadú ábhartha ach chun an imní eiticiúil atá ar na saoránach agus ar na tomhaltóirí maidir le leas ainmhithe a laghdú de réir mar a chomhallfaí na critéir dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo leis na modhanna maraithe agus feannta atá i bhfeidhm i dtíortha ina saothraítear rónta. Ba chóir go mbeadh dreasachtaí ann do thíortha ina saothraítear rónta chun go n-oiriúnóidis a reachtaíocht agus a gcleachtas chun na críocha sin, rud nach féidir a chur i gcrích ach amháin le toirmisc trádála.

In these circumstances, prohibitions coupled with the possibility to issue derogations constitute the least burdensome measures to be taken which can effectively achieve the pursued objectives.

Sna dálaí seo, is iad toirmisc a bhfuil an deis maoluithe a eisiúnt ag gabháil leo, na bearta is lú atá casta a fhéadfar a ghlacadh ar féidir leo na cuspóirí ar a ndírítear a chur i gcrích go héifeachtúil.

Appropriate requirements should be provided for ensuring that derogations to trade prohibitions can be properly enforced under this Regulation. To that effect, provisions should be made relating to certification schemes as well as on labelling and marking. Certification schemes should ensure that seal products are certified as coming from seals which have been killed and skinned in accordance with the appropriate requirements, which are effectively enforced, and whose object is to ensure that seals are killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and any other form of suffering.

Ba chóir ceanglais iomchuí a sholáthar chun a áirithiú gur féidir maoluithe ar thoirmisc trádála a fhorfheidhmiú mar is ceart faoin Rialachán seo. Chun na críche sin, ba chóir forálacha a dhéanamh i ndáil le scéimeanna deimhniúcháin agus i ndáil le lipéadú agus marcáil chomh maith. Ba chóir go n-áiritheofaí sna scéimeanna deimhniúcháin go ndeimhnítear go dtagann táirgí róin as rónta a maraíodh agus a feannadh i gcomhréir leis na ceanglais iomchuí, a fhorfheidhmítear go héifeachtúil, agus go bhfuil sé d'aidhm acu a áirithiú go maraítear agus go bhfeanntar rónta ar bhealach nach ábhar péine, anacra agus cineálacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é.

All measures adopted by the Commission to implement this Regulation will comply with the proportionality principle.

Comhlíonfaidh na bearta go léir arna nglacadh ag an gCoimisiún chun an Rialachán seo a chur chun feidhme prionsabal na comhréireachta.

- Choice of instruments

- Rogha ionstraimí

Proposed instrument: Regulation.

An ionstraim atá beartaithe: Rialachán

It offers the advantages of having general and uniform application, being binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States on the same day, without the additional administrative burden of a national act being necessary for transposition

Tá sé de bhuntáiste leis seo go gcuirtear i bhfeidhm é go ginearálta agus go haonfhoirmeach, agus é bheith ceangailteach go huile agus go hiomlán i ngach Ballstát ar an lá céanna, gan an t-ualach riaracháin breise a ghabhfadh le hionstraim náisiúnta a bheith riachtanach le haghaidh trasuímh.

Other means would not be adequate. A Directive requires national measures of implementation and increases the risk of divergent application. The enforcement of a ban relies on Member States while they keep the freedom on how to ensure that seal products are no longer placed on the market, imported and exported and to develop the methods of how to enforce the ban. Similarly, there is a need to guarantee the uniform application of possible derogations to the trade prohibitions otherwise applicable.

Ní bheadh modhanna eile leormhaith. Ceanglaítear le Treoir bearta náisiúnta cur chun feidhme agus méadaítear an baol go gcuirfear i bhfeidhm í ar bhealaí éagsúla. Braitheann forfheidhmiú toirmisc ar Bhallstáit agus iad ag coimeád a saoirse maidir leis an dóigh is fearr le háirithiú nach ndéantar táirgí róin a chur ar an margadh, a allmhairiú agus a onnmhairiú agus na modhanna a fhorbairt maidir leis an toirmeasc a fhorfheidhmiú. Ar an dóigh céanna, tá sé riachtanach go ráthófar cur i bhfeidhm aonfhoirmeach maoluithe féideartha ar thoirmisc trádála a bheadh ina mhalairt de chás infheidhme.

4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATION

4. Impleacht bhuiséadach

The Proposal has no implication for the Community budget.

Ní chuirfidh an togra seo isteach ar bhuiséad an Chomhphobail.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

5. Faisnéis bhreise

- Simplification

- Simpliú

The Proposal does not have a simplification element as it does not touch existing legislation.

Níl aon eilimint simplithe sa togra mar nach mbaineann sé le reachtaíocht atá ann cheana.

It should be noted with respect to Regulation No 338/97 that it would not be appropriate to remove from that Regulation seal species which are currently included therein, as such decisions are intrinsically linked to the decisions to be made by the governing bodies of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). (Even though the Community is not a Party to Cites, Regulation No 338/97 expressly purports to implement that Convention within the Community).

Ba chóir a thabhairt faoi deara i leith Rialachán (CEE) Uimh. 338/97 narbh iomchuí speicis róin a áirítear faoi láthair sa Rialachán sin a bhaint de, mar go bhfuil na cinntí sin i dlúthnasc leis na cinntí atá le glacadh ag comhlachtaí rialaithe an Choinbhinsiúin maidir le Trádáil Idirnáisiúnta i Speicis i mBaol (CITES). Cé nach bhfuil an Comhphobal ina pháirtí i CITES, airbheartaítear i Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 338/97 go sainráite an Coinbhinsiún sin a chur chun feidhme laistigh den Chomhphobal.

See below with respect to Seal Pups Directive 83/129/EEC.

Treoir 83/129/CEE maidir le Laonna Róin:féach thíos.

- Repeal of existing legislation

- Reachtaíocht atá ann cheana a aisghairm

The adoption of the Proposal will not lead to the repeal of existing legislation as the latter either covers other elements or is based on different grounds and seeks to assuage different concerns as it relates to the conservation status of the seal species concerned.

Má ghlactar an Togra seo ní aisghairfear an reachtaíocht atá ann cheana mar go bhfolaítear sa cheann deireanach eilimintí eile nó go mbunaítear í ar fhorais eile agus mar go ndírítear léi ar imní dhifriúil a laghdú mar go mbaineann sí le stádas caomhnaithe an speicis róin atá i gceist.

Concerning more specifically the Seal Pups Directive 83/129/EEC (as amended), it is clear that this Regulation encompasses the prohibition of commercial imports of the specific products covered by this legislation. Yet, this Directive must remain unaffected as this Regulation contemplates the possibility for trade to continue by derogations to the prohibitions otherwise applicable. Should such derogations be granted, it is necessary to ensure that the conservation objectives pursued by Directive 83/129 are still met, which in turn implies that the ban import the latter provides for continues to apply. It would therefore not be appropriate to repeal Directive 83/129.

I ndáil leis an Treoir maidir le Laonna Róin (mar atá arna leasú) níos sonraithe, is léir go gcuimsítear sa Rialachán seo an toirmeasc ar allmhairiú tráchtála táirgí sonracha a fholaítear sa reachtaíocht seo. Ní foláir, áfach, nach ndéanfar aon difear don Treoir seo mar sa Rialachán seo meastar cé acu is féidir nó nach féidir leanúint de bheith ag trádáil trí bhíthin maoluithe ar na toirmisc a bheadh infheidhme ina mhalairt de chás. Sa chás ina ndeonfar na maoluithe sin, ní foláir a áirithiú go gcomhlíonfar fós na cuspóirí caomhnaithe a shaothraítear i dTreoir 83/129, a thugann le tuiscint ar a uain go leanfar den toirmeasc ar allmhairiú dá bhforáiltear sa cheann deireanach d'fheidhm bheith aige. Dá bhrí sin, níorbh iomchuí Treoir 83/129 a aisghairm.

- Review/revision/sunset clause

- Clásal athbhreithnithe/leasaithe/éagtha

The Proposal does not include any of these clauses.

Ní áirítear aon cheann de na clásail seo sa Togra.

- Recasting

- Athmhúnlú

The Proposal does not involve recasting.

Ní gá athmhúnlú an togra seo.

- Correlation table

- Tábla comhghaoil

N/A as correlation tables are only required with respect to Directives.

Neamh-infheidhme mar ní éilítear táblaí comhghaoil ach amháin i leith Treoracha.

- European Economic Area (EEA)

- An Limistéar Eorpach Eacnamaíoch (LEE)

The proposed act concerns an EEA matter and should therefore extend to the European Economic Area.

Baineann an gníomh atá beartaithe le hábhar de chuid LEE agus, dá bhrí sin, ba chóir go gcuimseodh sé an Limistéar Eorpach Eacnamaíoch.

2008/0160 (COD)

2008/0160 (COD)

Proposal for a

Togra le haghaidh

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

RIALACHÁIN Ó PHARLAIMINT NA hEORPA AGUS ÓN gCOMHAIRLE

concerning trade in seals products

maidir le trádáil i dtáirgí róin

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

TÁ PARLAIMINT NA hEORPA AGUS COMHAIRLE AN AONTAIS EORPAIGH,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 95 and 133 thereof,

Ag féachaint don Chonradh ag bunú an Chomhphobail Eorpaigh, agus go háirithe Airteagail 95 agus Airteagal 133 de,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[15],

Ag féachaint don togra ón gCoimisiún[15],

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee[16],

Ag féachaint don tuairim ó Choiste Eacnamaíoch agus Sóisialta na hEorpa[16],

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty[17],

Ag gníomhú dóibh i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta a leagtar síos in Airteagal 251 den Chonradh[17],

Whereas:

De bharr an méid seo a leanas:

(1) Seals are animals that can experience pain, distress, fear and other forms of suffering.

(1) Is ainmhithe iad rónta ar féidir leo pian, anacair, eagla agus cineálacha eile fulaingthe a bhrath.

(2) Seals are hunted within and outside the Community and used for obtaining products and articles, such as meat, oil, blubber, fur skins and articles made therefrom, which are sold commercially on different markets, including the Community.

(2) Déantar rónta a fhiach laistigh agus lasmuigh den Chomhphobal agus úsáidtear iad chun táirgí agus earraí, amhail feoil, ola, blonag, seithí fionnaidh, agus earraí a dhéantar astu a fháil. Díoltar iad ar bhonn tráchtála ar mhargaí éagsúla, lena n-áirítear an Comhphobal.

(3) The hunting of seals has led to expressions of serious concerns by members of the public, governments as well as the European Parliament sensitive to animal welfare considerations since there are indications that seals may not be killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and other forms of suffering. The European Food Safety Authority concluded, in its scientific opinion on the Animal Welfare aspects of the killing and skinning of seals, that it is possible to kill seals rapidly and effectively without causing them avoidable pain or distress, whilst also reporting that in practice, effective and humane killing does not always happen[18].

(3) I ngeall ar an bhfiach rónta thosaigh daoine den phobal, rialtais agus Parlaimint na hEorpa, dreamanna atá íogair maidir le cúrsaí leasa ainmhithe, ar an imní mhór atá orthu a chur in iúl, ós rud é go bhfuil tásca ann a léiríonn go bhféadtar nach maraítear agus nach bhfeanntar rónta ar bhealach nach ábhar péine, anacra agus cineálacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é. Ina thuairim eolaíoch ar na gnéithe leasa ainmhithe a bhaineann le marú agus feannadh rónta, chinn an t-Údarás Eorpach um Shábháilteacht Bia gur féidir rónta a mharú ar bhealach tapa agus éifeacthúil nach ábhar péine nó anacra dóibh é, ach i gcleachtas nach maraítear iad i gcónaí ar bhealach éifeachtúil agus daonnachtúil[18].

(4) In response to the concern about the animal welfare aspects of the killing and skinning of seals, several Member States have adopted or intend to adopt legislation regulating trade in seal products, by prohibiting their import, and production, while no restrictions are placed on the trade in these products in other Member States.

(4) Mar fhreagairt ar an imní maidir le gnéithe leasa ainmhithe i ndáil le marú agus feannadh rónta, tá roinnt Ballstát tar éis reachtaíocht a ghlacadh nó tá sé i gceist acu reachtaíocht a ghlacadh, lena rialáilfear trádáil i dtáirgí róin, trí thoirmeasc a chur ar a n-allmhairiú, agus a dtáirgeadh, cé nach gcuirtear srianta ar bith ar thrádáil na dtáirgí seo i mBallstáit eile.

(5) There are therefore differences between Member States' provisions governing the trade, import, production and marketing of seal products. Those differences between national measures affect the operation of the internal market. The measures provided for in this Regulation should therefore harmonise the rules across the Member States as regards commercial activities concerning seal products.

(5) Mar sin tá difríochtaí idir forálacha na mBallstát lena rialaítear trádáil, allmhairiú, táirgeadh agus margú táirgí róin. Na difríochtaí sin idir bearta náisiúnta, déanann siad difear d'oibríocht an mhargaidh inmheánaigh. Ba chóir go gcomhchuibheofar leis na forálacha dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo na rialacha maidir le gníomhaíochtaí tráchtála i ndáil le táirgí róin sna Ballstáit go léir.

(6) To eliminate the present fragmentation of the internal market, there is a need to provide for harmonised rules while taking into account animal welfare considerations. A ban on placing seal products on the market is appropriate to that effect.

(6) D'fhonn deireadh a chur leis an ilroinnt atá sa mhargadh inmheánach faoi láthair, is gá foráil a dhéanamh do rialacha comhchuibhithe agus cúrsaí leasa ainmhithe á gcur san áireamh. Is iomchuí toirmeasc a chur ar tháirgí róin a chur ar an margadh chun na críche sin.

(7) A vast majority of seal products in the Community originate from third countries. In order to be more effective, the ban on intra-Community trade should be accompanied by a ban on the introduction of the same products into the Community.

(7) Is de thionscnamh tríú tíortha formhór na dtáirgí róin sa Chomhphobal. Mar sin, le gurbh éifeachtúla an toirmeasc ar thrádáil laistigh den Chomhphobal, ba chóir go dtoirmiscfí freisin na táirgí céanna a thabhairt isteach sa Chomhphobal.

(8) A ban on transit and exports should also ensure that seal products do not transit through the Community nor are produced in the Community for export. Such bans would contribute to render the ban on intra-Community trade more effective, as there is a risk that seal products placed under a transit procedure or allegedly produced for export may be fraudulently brought on to the Community market.

(8) Trí bhíthin toirmisc ar tháirgí ar idirthuras agus ar onnmhairí ba chóir go n-áiritheofaí nach mbeidh táirgí róin ar idirthuras tríd an gComhphobal agus nach dtáirgfear iad sa Chomhphobal le haghaidh onnmhairiú. D’fh’agfadh toirmisc dá leithéidí gurbh éifeachtúla an toirmeasc ar thrádáil laistigh den Chomhphobal, mar go bhfuil an baol ann go gcuirfear táirgí róin, a chuirtear faoi nós imeachta idirthurais nó a líomhnaítear gur iad táirgeadh le haghaidh onnmhairiú, ar mhargadh an Chomhphobail go calaoiseach.

(9) Insofar as the provisions of this Regulation affect commercial activities in seal products with third countries, beyond what is strictly required to preserve the ban on intra-Community trade, it should also be considered as a measure governing international trade.

(9) Sa mhéid is go bhfuil tionchar ag forálacha an Rialacháin seo ar ghníomhaíochtaí tráchtála i dtáirgí róin le tríú tíortha, thar a bhfuil riachtanach chun an toirmeasc ar thrádáil laistigh den Chomhphobal a chaomhnú, bá chóir é a mheas mar bheart lena rialaítear trádáil idirnáisiúnta.

(10) The various prohibitions provided for by this Regulation should respond to the animal welfare concerns expressed by members of the public as to the placing on the Community market, including further to imports from third countries, of seal products obtained from seals that might not have been killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and other forms of suffering.

(10) Ba chóir go bhfreagródh na toirmisc éagsúla dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo don imní atá ar dhaoine den phobal i ndáil le leas ainmhithe maidir le táirgí róin, a fuarthas ó rónta a d'fhéadfadh nár maraíodh agus nár feannadh ar bhealach nár ábhar péine, anacra agus foirmeacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é, a thabhairt isteach sa Chomhphobal, lena n-áireofar ó thríú tíortha.

(11) It is appropriate, however, to provide for the possibility of derogations from the general ban on the placing on the market and the import in, or export from, the Community of seal products insofar as the appropriate conditions based on animal welfare considerations are met. To that effect, criteria should be provided for the compliance with which should ensure that seals are killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and other forms of suffering. Any such derogation should be granted at Community level so that uniform conditions apply throughout the Community with respect to the trade specifically allowed under those derogations and the smooth functioning of the internal market is preserved.

(11) Is iomchuí, áfach, foráil a dhéanamh don fhéidearthacht go mbeidh maoluithe ón toirmeasc ginearálta ar tháirgí róin a chur ar an margadh agus a allmhairiú isteach, nó a onnmhairiú amach ón gComhphobal sa mhéid is go gcomhlíonfar na coinníollacha iomchuí maidir le cúrsaí leasa ainmhithe. Chun na críche sin, ba chóir critéir a sholáthar lena n-áiritheofaí ach iad a chomhlíonadh go marófar agus go bhfeannfar rónta gan pian, anacair agus foirmeacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta. Ba chóir aon mhaolú dá leithéid a dheonú ar leibhéal an Chomhphobail chun go mbeidh coinníollacha aonfhoirmeacha i bhfeidhm ar fud an Chomhphobail i ndáil leis an trádáil a cheadaítear go sonrach faoi na maoluithe sin agus chun go gcaomhnófar oibríú rianúil an mhargaidh inmheánaigh.

(12) Seal products should only be placed on the market, imported, transiting, or exported if they meet the conditions provided for to that effect by this Regulation. However, if placed on the market, imported or exported in accordance with a derogation granted under this Regulation, seal products will also have to comply with the relevant Community legislation, including animal health and food and feed safety provisions, as appropriate. This Regulation should not affect the obligations under Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption[19] concerning the disposal of seal products for public and animal health reasons.

(12) Ní chóir táirgí róin a chur ar an margadh, a allmhairiú, a chur ar idirthuras nó a onnmhairiú ach amháin má chomhlíonann siad na coinníollacha dá bhforáiltear chun na críche sin sa Rialachán seo. Mar sin féin, má chuirtear ar an margadh, má allmhairítear nó má onnmhairítear iad i gcomhréir leis an maolú a dheontar faoin Rialachán seo, ní mór do tháirgí róin reachtaíocht ábhartha an Chomhphobail a chomhlíonadh, lena n-áirítear forálacha maidir le sláinte ainmhithe agus maidir le sábháilteacht bia agus beatha, de réir mar is iomchuí. Leis an Rialachán seo ba chóir nach ndéanfaí difear do na hoibleagáidí faoi Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 1774/2002 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle an 2002 Deireadh Fómhair 2002 lena leagtar síos rialacha sláinte maidir le seach-tháirgí ainmhithe nach mbeartaítear mar bhia don duine[19] agus maidir le diúscairt táirgí róin a ar chúiseanna sláinte poiblí agus ar chúiseanna sláinte ainmhithe.

(13) The fundamental economic and social interests of Inuit communities traditionally engaged in the hunting of seals as a means to ensure their subsistence should not be adversely affected. The hunt is an integrated part of the culture and the identity of the members of the Inuit society. It represents a source of income and contributes to the subsistence of the hunter. Therefore, seal products deriving from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit communities and which contribute to their subsistence should not be covered by the prohibitions provided for in this Regulation.

(13) Ní cóir dochar a dhéanamh do leasa bunúsacha eacnamaíocha agus sóisialta na gcomhphobal Ionúiteach, a bhfuil sé de thraidisiún acu dul ag fiach rónta chun a mbeatha a shaothrú. Is cuid chomhtháite de chultúr agus céannacht na sochaí Ionúití é an fiach. Cuidíonn sé leis an bhfiagaí a bheatha a shaothrú. Dá bhrí sin, na táirgí róin a dhíorthaítear ó na fiaigh a dhéanann na pobail Ionúiteacha ó thraidisiún agus a rannchuidíonn lena mbeatha a shaothrú, ní cóir iad a fholú faoi na toirmisc dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo.

(14) Appropriate requirements should be provided for ensuring that derogations to trade prohibitions can be properly enforced under this Regulation. To that effect, provisions should be made relating to certification schemes as well as on labelling and marking. Certification schemes should ensure that seal products are certified as coming from seals which have been killed and skinned in accordance with the appropriate requirements, which are effectively enforced, and whose object is to ensure that seals are killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and any other form of suffering.

(14) Ba chóir ceanglais a fhoráil chun a áirithiú gur féidir maoluithe ar thoirmisc trádála a fhorfheidhmiú mar is ceart faoin Rialachán seo. Chun na críche sin, ba chóir forálacha a dhéanamh i ndáil le scéimeanna deimhniúcháin agus i ndáil le lipéadú agus marcáil chomh maith. Ba chóir go n-áiritheofaí le scéimeanna deimhniúcháin go ndeimhneofar gur de bhunús rónta arna marú agus arna bhfeannadh i gcomhréir leis na ceanglais iomchuí, arna bhforfheidhmiú go héifeachtúil, táirgí róin agus a mbeidh sé d'aidhm ag na ceanglais sin a áirithiú go marófar agus go bhfeannfar rónta ar bhealach nach ábhar péine, anacra agus cineálacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é.

(15) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission[20].

(15) Ba chóir na bearta is gá i gcomhair chur chun feidhme an Rialacháin seo a ghlacadh i gcomhréir le Cinneadh 1999/468/CE ón gComhairle an 28 Meitheamh 1999 ag leagan síos na nósanna imeachta maidir le feidhmiú na gcumhachtaí cur chun feidhme arna dtabhairt don Choimisiún[20].

(16) In particular, the Commission should be empowered to adopt all measures necessary to ensure that procedures are in place allowing applications for derogation to the trade prohibitions set out in this Regulation to be lodged and handled in an efficient manner, as well as to ensure the proper implementation of the provisions of this Regulation concerning certification schemes and labelling and marking. Since those measures are of a general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, inter alia , by supplementing it with new non-essential elements, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC. The Commission should also be empowered to decide on derogations to trade prohibitions under this Regulation, suspension or revocation thereof. Since those measures are adopted to ensure the management of the scheme provided for in this Regulation and apply it in individual cases, they must be adopted in accordance with the management procedure provided for in Article 4 of Decision 1999/468/EC.

(16) Go háirithe, ba chóir go dtabharfaí de chumhacht don Choimisiún na bearta go léir is gá a ghlacadh chun a áirithiú go mbunófar nósanna imeachta lena gceadaítear iarratais ar mhaolú ó thoirmisc trádála arna leagan amach sa Rialachán seo a thaisceadh agus a láimhseáil ar bhealach éifeachtach, agus chun a áirithiú chomh maith go gcuirfear chun feidhme go hiomchuí forálacha an Rialacháin seo maidir le scéimeanna deimhniúcháin agus lipéadú agus marcáil. Ós rud é go bhfuil raon feidhme ginearálta ag na bearta sin agus gur ceapadh iad chun eilimintí neamhriachtanacha den Rialachán seo a leasú, inter alia trína fhorlíonadh trí eilimintí neamhriachtanacha nua a chur leis, ní mór iad a ghlacadh i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta rialúcháin lena ngabhann grinnscrúdú dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 5a de Chinneadh 1999/468/CE. Ba chóir go dtabharfaí de chumhacht don Choimisiún freisin Cinneadh a dhéanamh maidir le toirmisc trádála a mhaolú, a fhionraí nó a chúlghairm faoin Rialachán seo. Ó tharla go nglactar na bearta sin chun bainistíocht na scéime dá bhforáiltear sa Rialachán seo a áirithiú agus é a chur i bhfeidhm i gcásanna aonair, ní foláir iad a ghlacadh i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta bainistíochta dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 4 de Chinneadh 1999/468/CE.

(17) Member States should lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation and ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

(17) Ba chóir go leagfadh na Ballstáit síos rialacha maidir leis na pionóis a bheadh infheidhme i gcás sáruithe ar fhorálacha an Rialacháin seo agus ba chóir go n-áiritheoidís go gcuirfí chun feidhme iad. Ba chóir go mbeadh na pionóis sin éifeachtúil, comhréireach agus athchomhairleach.

(18) Member States should report on a regular basis on the actions taken to enforce this Regulation. On the basis of those reports, the Commission should itself report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation.

(18) Ba chóir do na Ballstáit tuarascáil a ullmhú ar bhonn rialta maidir leis na bearta a ghlactar chun an Rialachán seo a fhorfheidhmiú. I bhfianaise na dtuarascálacha seo, ba chóir don Choimisiún féin tuarascáil ar chur i bhfeidhm an Rialacháin seo a chur chuig Parlaimint na hEorpa agus chuig an gComhairle.

(19) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely the elimination of obstacles to the functioning of the internal market by harmonising national bans concerning the trade in seal products at Community level, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. International trade may be regulated by the Community pursuant to Article 133 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives it pursues,

(19) Ó tharla nach féidir cuspóir an Rialacháin seo, eadhon deireadh a chur le constaicí ar oibriú an mhargaidh inmheánaigh trí chomhchuibhiú a dhéanamh ar leibhéal an Chomhphobail ar na toirmisc náisiúnta ar thrádáil i dtáirgí róin a bhaint amach go leordhóthanach ar leibhéal na mBallstát agus gur fearr, dá bhrí sin, a fhéadfar iad a bhaint amach ar leibhéal an Chomhphobail, féadfaidh an Comhphobal bearta a ghlacadh, i gcomhréir le prionsabal na coimhdeachta mar a leagtar amach in Airteagal 5 den Chonradh é. Féadfaidh an Comhphobal trádáil idirnáisiúnta a rialú de bhun Airteagal 133 den Chonradh. I gcomhréir le prionsabal na comhréireachta, mar atá arna leagan amach san Airteagal sin, ní théann an Rialachán seo thar a bhfuil riachtanach chun na cuspóirí sin a bhaint amach.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

TAR ÉIS AN RIALACHÁN SEO A GHLACADH:

Article 1

Airteagal 1

Subject matter

Ábhar

This Regulation establishes harmonised rules concerning the placing on the market and the import in, transit through, or export from, the European Community of seal products.

Bunaítear leis an Rialachán seo rialacha comhchuibhithe maidir le táirgí róin a chur ar an margadh agus a allmhairiú isteach, a chur ar idirthuras tríd nó a onnmhairiú amach as an gComhphobal Eorpach.

Article 2

Airteagal 2

Definitions

Sainmhínithe

For the purpose of this Regulation:

Chun críocha an Rialacháin seo:

1. 'seal' means specimens of Pinnipeds belonging to the species listed in Annex I;

1. ciallaíonn 'rón' eiseamail d'Eite-cosaigh a bhaineann leis na speicis atá liostaithe in Iarscríbhinn I;

2. 'seal product' means all products, either processed or unprocessed, deriving or obtained from seals, including meat, oil, blubber, and raw fur skins and fur skins, tanned or dressed, including fur skins assembled in plates, crosses and similar forms as well as articles made from seal fur skins;

2. ciallaíonn 'táirge róin' na táirgí go léir, próiseáilte nó neamh-phróiseáilte, a dhíorthaítear ó a fhaightear ó rónta, lena n-áirítear feoil, ola, blonag, agus craicne amha fionnaidh agus seithí fionnaidh coirtithe nó cóirithe, lena n-áirítear seithí fionnaidh a choimeáiltear i bplátaí, i gcrosanna agus i bhfoirmeacha dá leithéidí chomh maith le hearraí a dhéantar as seithí fionnaidh róin;

3. 'placing on the market' means introducing onto the Community market, thereby making available to third parties, whether in exchange for payment or not;

3. ciallaíonn 'cur ar an margadh' tabhairt isteach i margadh an Chomhphobail, agus tríd sin cur ar fáil do thríú páirtithe, cibé ar íocaíocht nó gan íocaíocht;

4. 'import' means any entry of goods into the customs territory of the Community, with the exception of imports that:

4. ciallaíonn 'allmhairiú' earraí a thabhairt isteach i gcríoch custaim an Chomhphobail, cé is moite d'allmhairithe:

(i) are of an occasional nature, and

(i) atá de nádúr ócáideach, agus

(ii) consist exclusively of goods for the personal use of the travellers or their families;

(ii) arb é atá iontu go heisiach ná earraí le haghaidh úsáid phearsanta na dtaistealaithe nó a dteaghlaigh;

5. 'transit' means the transport of goods between two points outside the Community through the territory of the Community with or without trans-shipment, warehousing, breaking bulk, or change in the mode of transport and during which any interruption in the movement arises only from the arrangements necessitated by this form of traffic;

5. ciallaíonn 'cur ar idirthuras' earraí a iompar idir dhá phointe lasmuigh den Chomhphobal trí chríoch an Chomhphobail le nó gan trasloingiú, trádstóráil, toirtbhriseadh nó athrú ar an modh iompair agus nach mbíonn aon bhriseadh sa ghluaiseacht seachas le haghaidh na socruithe is gá don chineál seo tráchta;

6. 'export' means any departure of goods from the customs territory of the Community;

6. ciallaíonn 'onnmhairiú' aon ghluaiseacht earraí amach as críoch custam an Chomhphobail;

7. 'applicants requesting a derogation' mean countries, including Member States, requesting a derogation under Article 5 of this Regulation on whose territory or under whose jurisdiction the seals from which seals products are made, have been killed and skinned as well as the country under whose jurisdiction fall the persons who kill and skin seals where the killing and skinning take place on the territory of another country. When adopting the implementing measures referred to in Article 5(5), the Commission will decide, in line with the objectives of this Regulation, under which conditions entities other than countries should be included.

7. iallaíonn 'iarratasóirí ag iarrann maolaithe' tíortha, lena n-áirítear Ballstáit, a iarrann maolaithe faoi Airteagal 5 den Rialachán seo, a maraíodh agus a bhfeannadh na rónta a ndéantar na táirgí róin astu ar a gcríoch nó faoina ndlínse, chomh maith leis an tír a dtig na daoine a mharaíonn agus a fheannann na rónta faoina dlínse, más rud é go maraítear agus go bhfeanntar na rónta i gcríoch tíre eile. Agus na bearta cur chun feidhme dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 5(5) á nglacadh, cinnfidh an Coimisiún, i gcomhréir le cuspóirí an Rialacháin seo, cad iad na coinníollacha faoina n-áireofar eintitis nach tíortha iad.

Article 3

Airteagal 3

Bans

Toirmisc

1. The placing on the market and the import in, transit through, or export from, the Community of seal products shall be prohibited.

1. Toirmiscfear táirgí róin a chur ar an margadh agus a allmhairiú isteach, a chur ar idirthuras tríd nó a onnmhairiú amach as an gComhphobal.

2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply to seal products resulting from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit communities and which contribute to their subsistence.

2. Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír 1 maidir le táirgí róin a thig as na fiaigh a dhéanann na pobail Ionúiteacha ó thraidisiún agus a rannchuidíonn lena mbeatha a shaothrú.

3. The Commission shall adopt all measures necessary to implement paragraph 2, including evidentiary requirements relating to the proof of the origin of seal products referred to in that paragraph.

3. Glacfaidh an Coimisiún na bearta go léir is gá chun mír 2 a chur chun feidhme, lena n-áirítear ceanglais faisnéise i ndáil le cruthúnas tionscnaimh na dtáirgí róin dá dtagraítear sa mhír sin. Glacfar na bearta sin, a ceapadh chun eilimintí neamhriachtanacha den Rialachán seo a leasú trína fhorlíonadh, i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta rialúcháin lena ngabhann grinnscrúdú dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 9(3).

Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 9(3).

Airteagal 4

Article 4

Coinníollacha maidir le cur ar an margadh, maidir le hallmhairiú, maidir le hidirthuras agus maidir le honnmhairiú

Conditions of placing on the market, import, transit and export

1. D'ainneoin Airteagal 3(1), ceadófar táirgí róin a chur ar an margadh a allmhairiú isteach, a chur ar idirthuras tríd an gComhphobal nó a onnmhairiú amach as má chomhlíontar na coinníollacha seo a leanas:

1. Notwithstanding Article 3(1), the placing on the market, and the import in, transit through, or export from, the Community of seal products shall be allowed where the following conditions are met:

1. fuarthas iad ó rónta a maraíodh agus a feannadh iad i dtír, nó a mharaigh daoine iad, a bhfuil feidhm ag forálacha reachtacha iomchuí nó ceanglais eile maidir léi, lena n-áirithítear ar bhealach éifeachtúil go maraítear agus go bhfeanntar rónta ar bhealach nach ábhar péine, anacra agus cineálacha eile fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é;

1. they have been obtained from seals killed and skinned in a country where, or by persons to whom, adequate legislative provisions or other requirements apply ensuring effectively that seals are killed and skinned without causing avoidable pain, distress and any other form of suffering;

2. go ndéanann na húdaráis ábhartha na forálacha reachtacha nó na ceanglais eile dá dtagraítear i bpointe (a) a fhorfheidhmiú go héifeachtúil;

2. the legislative provisions or other requirements referred to in point (a) are effectively enforced by the relevant authorities;

3. tá scéim iomchuí ar bun lena ndeimhnítear go dtig táirgí róin, lena n-áirítear craicne róin agus amhábhair eile a dhíorthaítear ó róin le húsáid chun táirgí róin a tháirgeadh, as rónta a bhfuil feidhm ag na pointí arna leagan síos i bpointí (a) agus (b) maidir leo, agus

3. an appropriate scheme is in place whereby seal products, including seal skins and other raw materials derived from seals used to produce seal products, are certified as coming from seals to which the conditions laid down in points (a) and (b) apply, and

4. go gcruthaítear go gcomhlíontar na coinníollacha atá leagtha síos i bpointí (a), (b) agus (c) le:

4. the fulfilment of the conditions laid down in points (a), (b) and (c) is evidenced by:

(i) deimhniú, agus

(i) a certificate, and

(ii) lipéad nó marcáil, sa chás nach leor deimhniú chun forfheidhmiú an Rialacháin seo a áirithiú,

(ii) a label or marking, where a certificate does not suffice to ensure the proper enforcement of this Regulation,

i gcomhréir le hAirteagail 6 agus 7.

in accordance with Articles 6 and 7.

2. Na táirgí róin a chomhlíonann forálacha an Rialacháin seo, ní chuirfidh na Ballstáit bac ar a gcur ar an margadh, a n-allmhairiú ná a n-onnmhairiú.

2. Member States shall not impede the placing on the market, import and export of seal products which comply with the provisions of this Regulation.

Airteagal 5

Article 5

Maoluithe

Derogations

1. Maidir le hiarratasóirí a thaispeánann go sásúil don Choimisiún go gcomhlíonann siad na coinníollacha dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 4(1), deonfar maolú orthusan.

1. Applicants requesting a derogation which demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that the conditions provided for in Article 4(1) are met shall be granted a derogation.

2. Déanfaidh an Coimisiún breithmheas ar chomhlíonadh na gcoinníollacha atá leagtha síos i bpointe (a) d'Airteagal 4(1) ar bhonn na gcritéar atá leagtha amach in Iarscríbhinn II.

2. The Commission shall appraise the fulfilment of the conditions laid down in point (a) of Article 4(1) on the basis of the criteria set out in Annex II.

3. Déanfar maoluithe arna ndeonú de bhun mhír 1 a fhionraí nó a chúlghairm sa chás nach gcomhlíonfar a thuilleadh na coinníollacha dá dtagraítear sa mhír sin.

3. Derogations granted pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be suspended or revoked where any of the conditions referred to in that paragraph would cease to be met.

4. Deonfaidh an Coimisiún maoluithe, agus déanfaidh sé Cinneadh maidir lena bhfionraí nó maidir lena gculghairm, i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 9(2).

4. The Commission shall grant derogations, and decide on suspension or revocation thereof, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 9(2).

5. D’fhonn maolú a fháil, glacfaidh an Coimisiún na bearta go léir is gá chun an t-Airteagal a chur chun feidhme, amhail bearta maidir leis na hiarratais a bheidh le cur faoi bhráid an Choimisiúin, lena n-áireofar ceanglais a thabharfar ar aird mar fhianaise. Agus an méid sin á dhéanamh, cuirfidh an Coimisiún san áireamh na coinníollacha éagsúla a d’fhéadfadh tarlú i gcríocha na dtíortha éagsúla.

5. The Commission shall adopt all measures necessary to implement this Article, such as measures on the applications to be submitted to the Commission, including evidentiary requirements, in order to obtain a derogation. In doing so, the Commission shall take into consideration the different conditions which may occur in the territories of different countries.

Glacfar na bearta sin, a ceapadh chun eilimintí neamhriachtanacha den Rialachán seo a leasú trína fhorlíonadh, i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta rialúcháin lena ngabhann grinnscrúdú dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 9(3).

Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 9(3).

Airteagal 6

Article 6

Deimhnithe

Certificates

1. Comhlíonfaidh na deimhnithe dá dtagraítear i bpointe d'Airteagal 4(1)(d)(i) na coinníollacha íosta seo a leanas:

1. Certificates referred to in Article 4(1)(d)(i) shall fulfil the following minimum conditions:

5. beidh le sonrú iontu an fhaisnéis ábhartha go léir is gá chun a fhianú go gcomhlíonann an táirge nó na táirgí róin dá dtagraíonn siad an coinníoll atá leagtha síos in Airteagal 4(1)(c); agus

5. they shall display all relevant information necessary to attest that the seal product or products they refer to meet the condition laid down in Article 4(1)(c); and

6. déanfaidh comhlacht neamhspleách nó údarás poiblí a fhianaíonn cruinneas na faisnéise a thaispeántar ann iad a bhailíochtú.

6. they shall be validated by an independent body or public authority attesting the accuracy of the information displayed therein.

2. Glacfaidh an Coimisiún na rialacha go léir is gá chun an t-Airteagal seo a chur chun feidhme. Féadfaidh sé, go háirithe, a shonrú cad í an fhaisnéis atá le cur ar taispeáint agus na ceanglais faisnéise a thíolacfar chun a fhianú go gcomhlíonadh an coinníoll atá leagtha síos i bpointe (b) de mhír 1.

2. The Commission shall adopt all measures necessary to implement this Article. It may, in particular, specify the information to be displayed and the evidentiary requirements to be submitted to attest that the condition laid down in point (b) of paragraph 1 is met.

Glacfar na bearta sin, a ceapadh chun eilimintí neamhriachtanacha den Rialachán seo a leasú, trína fhorlíonadh, i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta rialúcháin lena ngabhann grinnscrúdú dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 9(3).

Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 9(3).

Airteagal 7

Article 7

Lipéadú agus marcáil

Labelling and marking

1. Greamófar an lipéad nó an mharcáil dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 4(1)(d)(ii) ar dhóigh intuigthe doscriosta sofheicthe.

1. The label or marking referred to in Article 4(1)(d)(ii) shall be affixed in an intelligible, indelible and visible manner.

2. Glacfaidh an Coimisiún na bearta go léir is gá chun an t-Airteagal seo a chur chun feidhme, amhail bearta lena sonraítear na coinníollacha a shásóidh an mharcáil agus an lipéad agus na dálaí ina ngreamófar iad. Glacfar na bearta sin, a ceapadh chun eilimintí neamhriachtanacha den Rialachán seo a leasú trína fhorlíonadh, i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta rialúcháin lena ngabhann grinnscrúdú dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 9(3).

2. The Commission shall adopt all measures necessary to implement this Article, such as measures specifying the conditions which marking and label shall meet and the circumstances under which they shall be affixed. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 9(3).

Airteagal 8

Article 8

Leasuithe ar na hIarscríbhinní

Amendments to the Annexes

Féadfaidh an Coimisiún na hIarscríbhinní a leasú. Glacfar na beart sin a ceapadh chun eilimintí neamhriachtanacha den Rialacháin seo a leasú i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta rialúcháin lena ngabhann grinnscrúdú dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 9(3).

The Commission may amend the annexes. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 9(3).

Airteagal 9

Article 9

An nós imeachta coiste

Committee procedure

1. Beidh de chúnamh ag an gCoimisiún coiste a bunaíodh le hAirteagal 18(1) de Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 338/97 ón gComhairle[21].

1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee established by Article 18(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97[21].

2. Sa chás go dtagraítear don mhír seo, beidh feidhm ag Airteagal 4 agus ag Airteagal 7 de Chinneadh 1999/468/CE, ag féachaint d'fhorálacha Airteagal 8 de.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

3. Sa chás go dtagraítear don mhír seo, beidh feidhm ag Airteagal 5a(1) go (4) agus ag Airteagal 7 de Chinneadh 1999/468/CE, ag féachaint d'fhorálacha Airteagal 8 de.

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4), and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

Airteagal 10

Article 10

Pionóis agus forfheidhmiú

Penalties and enforcement

Leagfaidh na Ballstáit síos na rialacha maidir le pionóis a bheidh infheidhme ar sháruithe ar an Rialachán seo, agus glacfaidh siad gach beart is gá lena áirithiú go gcuirfear chun feidhme iad. Beidh na pionóis dá bhforáiltear éifeachtúil, comhréireach agus athchomhairleach. Tabharfaidh na Ballstáit fógra don Choimisiún faoi na forálacha sin faoin 31 Nollaig 200X agus tabharfaidh siad fógra dó gan mhoill faoi aon leasú iardain orthu.

Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Member States shall notify the Commission of those provisions by 31 December 200X, and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment thereto.

Airteagal 11

Article 11

Tuarascálacha

Reports

1. Gach cúig bliana cuirfidh na Ballstáit tuarascáil chuig an gCoimisiún ina dtabharfar breac-chuntas ar na bearta a ghlactar chun an Rialachán seo a fhorfheidhmiú.

1. Member States shall send every five years to the Commission a report outlining the actions taken to enforce this Regulation.

2. I bhfianaise na dtuarascálacha dá dtagraítear i mír 1, cuirfidh an Coimisiún tuarascáil chuig Parlaimint na hEorpa agus chuig an gComhairle maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an Rialacháin seo laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag ó dheireadh na tréimhse tuarascála cúig bliana i dtrácht.

2. On the basis of the reports referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation within twelve months of the end of the five-year reporting period concerned.

Airteagal 12

Article 12

Teacht i bhfeidhm agus infheidhmeacht

Entry into force and applicability

Tiocfaidh an Rialachán seo i bhfeidhm an bhfichiú lá tar éis lá a fhoilsithe in Iris Oifigiúil an Aontais Eorpaigh .

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Beidh feidhm ag Airteagail 3 agus 4 ar feadh 6 mhí tár éis an dáta a dtiocfaidh an Rialacháin seo i bhfeidhm mura bhfuil na bearta cur chun feidhme dá dtagraítear in Airteagail 3(3), 5(5), 6(2) agus 7(2) i bhfeidhm ar an dáta sin, agus sa chás sin beidh feidhm acu ar an lá tar éis do na bearta cur chun feidhme sin teacht i bhfeidhm.

Articles 3 and 4 shall apply 6 months after the date of entry into force of the Regulation unless the implementing measures referred to in Articles 3(3), 5(5), 6(2) and 7(2) are not in force on that date, in which case they shall apply on the day following the entry into force of those implementing measures.

Beidh an Rialachán seo ina cheangal go huile agus go hiomlán agus beidh sé infheidhme go díreach i ngach Ballstát.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Arna dhéanamh sa Bhruiséil, an

Done at Brussels,

Thar ceann Pharlaimint na hEorpa Thar ceann na Comhairle

For the European Parliament For the Council

An tUachtarán An tUachtarán

The President The President

IARSCRÍBHINN I

ANNEX I

Speicis Eite-cosach dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 2

Species of Pinnipeds referred to in Article 2

1. Arctocephalus pusillus

1. Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus;

2. Callorhinus ursinus;

2. Callorhinus ursinus;

3. Cystophora cristata;

3. Cystophora cristata;

4. Erignathus barbatus;

4. Erignathus barbatus;

5. Eumetopias jubatus;

5. Eumetopias jubatus;

6. Halichoerus grypus;

6. Halichoerus grypus;

7. Histrophoca fasciata;

7. Histrophoca fasciata;

8. Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus;

8. Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus;

9. Odobenus rosmarus divergens;

9. Odobenus rosmarus divergens;

10. Pagophilus groenlandicus;

10. Pagophilus groenlandicus;

11. Phoca largha;

11. Phoca largha;

12. Phoca vitulina;

12. Phoca vitulina;

13. Phoca vitulina richardii;

13. Phoca vitulina richardii;

14. Pusa caspica;

14. Pusa caspica;

15. Pusa hispida;

15. Pusa hispida;

16. Pusa sibirica;

16. Pusa sibirica;

17. Zalophus californianus.

17. Zalophus californianus.

IARSCRÍBHINN II

ANNEX II

Critéir maidir le leordhóthanacht na bhforálacha reachtacha agus ceanglais eile atá i bhfeidhm agus dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 5(2) a bhreithmheas

Criteria for appraising the adequacy of the legislative provisions and other requirements in force referred to in Article 5(2)

1. prionsabail leasa ainmhithe:

1. ANIMAL WELFARE PRINCIPLES:

Sonraítear prionsabail leasa ainmhithe sa reachtaíocht infheidhme nó i gceanglais eile.

Animal welfare principles are specified in the applicable legislation or other requirements.

2. uirlisí fiaigh:

2. HUNTING TOOLS:

Sonraítear sainghnéithe na n-arm a úsáidtear chun rónta a mharú. Tá sé soiléir sa reachtaíocht nó i gceanglais eile cad iad na hairm a cheadaítear chun néal a chur ar laonna róin agus/nó chun iad a mharú agus cad iad na hairm a cheadaítear chun néal a chur ar rónta fásta agus/nó iad a mharú.

The characteristics of the weapons used to kill seal are specified. It is made explicit in the legislation or other requirements which weapons are allowed for stunning and/or killing pups and which are allowed for stunning and/or killing adult seals.

3. NEAMHAIREACHTÁLACHT AGUS BÁS A FHÍORÚ TRÍ MHODHANNA MONATÓIREACHTA IOMCHUÍ A ÚSÁID

3. VERIFYING INSENSIBILITY AND DEATH BY USING APPROPRIATE MONITORING METHODS:

Tá ceanglais leagtha amach go sonrach maidir le monatóireacht agus mar sin tá sé d'oibleagáid ar an bhfiagaí a áirithiú go bhfuil an rón neamhaireachtálach go neamh-inchúlghairthe roimh dó an fhuil a sceitheadh as agus roimh dó leanúint ar aghaidh go dtí an chéad rón eile.

Requirements are specifically outlined for using appropriate monitoring methods and thereby oblige the hunter to verify that the seal is irrevocably unconscious before bleeding it out and before continuing to the next seal.

4. fuil a sceitheadh as ainmhithe ar cuireadh néal orthu

4. BLEEDING-OUT OF STUNNED ANIMALS:

Ceanglaítear fuil a sceitheadh as na hainmhithe díreach tar éis néal a bheith curtha orthu go leordhóthanach, is é sin roimh dhul ar aghaidh chun néal a chur ar rón eile.

Bleeding-out of all animals is required directly following adequate stunning, that is, before proceeding to stun another seal.

5. coinníollacha fiaigh:

5. HUNTING CONDITIONS:

Sonraítear ceanglais chun a áirithiú go bhfuil an rón agus/nó an fiagaí cobhsaí go leordhóthanach agus gur féidir an targaid a fheiceáil go soiléir. Rialaítear fachtóirí eile, atá ábhartha leis an bhfiach i dtrácht, freisin.

Requirements are specified as to secure that the seal and/or the hunter is sufficiently stable and that the target can be properly visualised. Other factors, relevant for the hunt in question, are also regulated.

6. Oiliúint na bh FIAGAITHE

6. TRAINING OF HUNTERS:

Ceanglaítear leibhéal sainmhínithe eolais agus ábaltachta ag an bhfiagaí maidir le bitheolaíocht róin, modhanna fiaigh agus an nós imeachta "trí chéim", agus maidir le húsáid phraiticiúil na n-uirlisí fiaigh, leithéid trialacha lámhaigh. Is éard atá sa nós imeachta "trí chéim" modh éifeachtúil chun rón a bhualadh/a lámhach, monatóireacht éifeachtúil (rud a áiríthítear tríd an frithluail caochaíola nó trí láimhsiú na blaoisce a úsáid go bhfuil an t-ainmhí go neamh-inchúlghairthe neamhaireachtáil nó marbh) agus sceitheadh fola éifeachtúil d'fhonn a áirithiú go maraítear an rón ar bhealach nach ábhar péine, anacra agus fulaingthe inseachanta dóibh é.

A defined level of knowledge and ability of the hunter regarding seal biology, hunting methods and the "three-step" procedure, hereunder practical use of the hunting tools, such as shooting tests are required. The “three-step” procedure is a method of effective hitting/shooting, effective monitoring (by application of the blink reflex or skull palpation that the animal is irreversibly unconscious or dead), and effective bleeding-out in order to ensure that a seal is killed without avoidable pain, distress and suffering.

7. Monatóireacht neamhspleách:

7. INDEPENDENT MONITORING:

Déantar foráil do chóras monatóireachta agus breathnadóireachta an fhiaigh, lena n-áirithítear maoirseoireacht rialta an fhiaigh agus neamhspleáchas na gcigirí.

A system for monitoring and observation of the hunt, securing regular supervision of the hunt and independence of the inspectors is provided for.

8. inniúlacht tríú páirtí monatóireacht a dhéanamh:

8. ABILITY OF THIRD PARTY TO MONITOR:

Is féidir le tríú páirtí monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar an bhfiach, agus an méid is lú is féidir de chonstaicí riaracháin nó loighisticiúla ag baint léi.

Third party monitoring of the hunt is possible, with a minimum of administrative or logistic barriers.

9. ceanglais maidir le tuairisciú:

9. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Déantar foráil do cheanglais shoiléire maidir le tuairisciú ar fhiagaithe agus ar chigirí, lena bhfolaítear an áit agus an am ina maraítear na hainmhithe agus na hairm agus an lón lámhaigh a úsáidtear. Ní mór na fachtóirí comhshaoil éagsúla atá ábhartha a thuairisciú freisin.

Clear requirements for reporting targeting both hunters and inspectors are provided for, which cover where and when animals are killed and which weapons and ammunition are used. The range of relevant environmental factors is also to be reported.

10. smachtbhannaí agus comhlíonadh:

10. SANCTIONS AND COMPLIANCE:

Déantar faisnéis staidrimh faoin bhfiach, samplaí de neamhchomhlíonadh na gceanglas is infheidhme agus bearta forfheidhme lena mbaineann a thiomsú agus a chórasú. [pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic]

Statistical information on the hunt, instances of non-compliance with the applicable requirements and related enforcement actions is compiled and systemised.[pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic]

[1] Breithiúnas an 14 Nollaig 2004 i gcás C-434/02 (Arnold André), míreanna 34 agus 35.

[1] Judgement of 14 December 2004 in case C-434/02 (Arnold André), paragraphs 34 and 35.

[2] Féach míreanna 37, 38, 39 agus 41 de chás C-434/02.

[2] See paragraphs 37, 38, 39 and 41 of case C-434/02.

[3] Féach Cásanna Ceangailte C-37/06 agus C-58/06 Viamex Agrar Handels e.a., mír 22.

[3] See Joined Cases C-37/06 and C-58/06 Viamex Agrar Handels e.a., paragraph 22.

[4] Féach mír 32 de chás C-434/02.

[4] See paragraph 32 of Case C-434/02.

[5] Laonna fionnaidh bháin ó rónta Graonlacha agus laonna ó rónta cochallacha (droimghorm).

[5] Whitecoat pups of harp seals and pups of hooded seals (blue-backs).

[6] IO L 91, 09.4.1983, lch. 30. Treoir arna leasú le Treoir 89/370/CEE (IO L 163, 14.6.1989, lch. 37).

[6] OJ L 91, 9.4.1983, p. 30. Directive as amended by Directive 89/370/EEC (OJ L 163, 14.6.1989, p. 37).

[7] IO L 206, 22.7.1992, lch. 7. Treoir mar a leasaíodh go deireanach le Treoir 2006/105/CE an 20 Samhain 2006 lena n-oiriúnaítear Treoracha 73/239/CEE, 74/557/CEE agus 2002/83/CE i réimse an chomhshaoil, de bharr aontachas na Bulgáire agus na Rómáine (IO L 363, 20.12.2002, lch. 368).

[7] OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/105/EC of 20 November 2006 adapting Directives 73/239/EEC, 74/557/EEC and 2002/83/EC in the field of environment, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 368).

[8] IO L 61, 3.3.1997, lch. 1. Rialachán arna leasú go deireanach le Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 318/2008 ón gCoimisiún (IO L 95, 8.4.2008, lch. 3).

[8] OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 318/2008 (OJ L 95, 8.4.2008, p. 3).

[9] Féach Cásanna Ceangailte C-37/06 agus C-58/06 Viamex Agrar Handels e.a., mír 22.

[9] See Joined Cases C-37/06 and C-58/06 Viamex Agrar Handels e.a., paragraph 22.

[10] Prótacal (Uimh. 33) maidir le cosaint agus leasa ainmhithe a ghabhann mar Iarscríbhinn leis an gConradh ag bunú an Chomhphobail Eorpaigh (IO C 340, 10.11.1997, lch. 110). Léiríonn an Prótacal seo féin Dearbhú Uimh. 24 maidir le cosaint ainmhithe a ghabhann mar Iarscríbhinn leis an Ionstraim Chriochnaitheach den Chonradh ar an Aontas Eorpach.

[10] Protocol (No 33) on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community (OJ C 340, 10.11.1997, p. 110). This Protocol reflects itself Declaration No 24 on the protection of animals annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty on European Union.

[11] COM(2006) 13 críochnaitheach 23.1.2006.

[11] COM(2006)13 final of 23.1.2006.

[12] The EFSA Journal (2007) 610, 1-122.

[12] The EFSA Journal (2007) 610, 1-122.

[13] COWI “ Assessment of the potential impact of a ban of products derived from seal species” (Measúnú ar iarmhairt ionchaiseach toirmisc ar tháirgí a dhíorthaítear ó speicis róin), Aibreán 2008.

[13] COWI "Assessment of the potential impact of a ban of products derived from seal species", April 2008

[14] Breithiúnas an 10 Nollaig 2002 i gCás C-491/01 British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco [2002] ECR I-11453, míreanna 60 agus 61; breithiúnais an 14 Nollaig 2004 i gcás C-434/02 Arnold André [2004] ECR I-11825, mír 34 agus i gCás C-210/03 Swedish Match [2004] 1-11893 mír 33; breithiúnas an 12 Iúil 2005 i gCásanna Ceangailte C-154/04 agus C-155/04 Alliance for Natural Health [2006] ECR I-6451, mír 32 agus an 6 Nollaig 2005 i gCás C-66/04 United Kingdom v European Parliament and Council [2005] ECR 1-10553, mír 41.

[14] Judgment of 10 December 2002 in Case C-491/01 British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco [2002] ECR I-11453, paragraphs 60 and 61; judgments of 14 December 2004 in Case C-434/02 Arnold André [2004] ECR I-11825, paragraph 34 and in Case C-210/03 Swedish Match [2004] ECR I-11893, paragraph 33; judgment of 12 July 2005 in Joined Cases C-154/04 and C-155/04 Alliance for Natural Health [2006] ECR I-6451, paragraph 32 and of 6 December 2005 in Case C-66/04 United Kingdom v European Parliament and Council [2005] ECR I-10553, paragraph 41.

[15] IO C , , lch. .

[15] OJ C , , p. .

[16] IO C , , lch. .

[16] OJ C , , p. .

[17] IO C , , lch.

[17] OJ C , , p. .

[18] Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on a request from the Commission on the Animal Welfare aspects of the killing of seals (Tuairim Eolaíoch an Phainéil ar Shláinte agus Leas Ainmhithe ar iarraidh ón gCoimisiún i ndáil le gnéithe Leasa Ainmhithe a bhaineann le marú agus feannadh rónta). EFSA Journal (2007) 610, 1-122.

[18] Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on a request from the Commission on the Animal Welfare aspects of the killing and skinning of seals. The EFSA Journal (2007) 610, 1-122.

[19] IO L 273, 10.10.2002, lch. 1. Rialachán mar atá arna leasú go deireanach le Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 523/2008 ón gCoimisiún an 11 June 2008 (IO L 153, 12.6.2008, lch. 23).

[19] OJ L 273, 10.10.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 523/2008 of 11 June 2008 (OJ L 153, 12.6.2008, p. 23).

[20] IO L 184, 17.07.1999, lch. 23. Cinneadh arna leasú le Cinneadh 2006/512/CE (IO L 200, 22.7.2006, lch. 11).

[20] OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

[21] IO L 61, 3.3.1997, lch. 1.

[21] OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1.