(2004/C 33 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0634/03

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject:   Protection of the Siberian tiger

Is the Commission aware of the threat to the Amurian or Siberian tiger, which, like the world's four other tiger species, is in danger of extinction?

What action is the Commission taking to contribute to the protection of the Amurian tiger, a species of which, according to the WWF, only between 200 and 400 are now in existence, in Primorsky Kray and the Khabarovsky Kray region in the far east of Russia near the border with China? Is this region covered by any TACIS projects?

Could a project be launched under the EU/Russian Federation cooperation arrangements with the objective of saving this endangered species?

What position and measures is the EU adopting in general to encourage the Russian Federation to protect its national parks, which are now facing substantial problems thanks to the difficult economic situation in the regions?

Is the Commission aware of the recent conflicts and tensions generated among the Udege, the main ethnic group in the Amur regions, who have traditionally protected the tiger, which has a vital place in their culture as a sacred animal? At present, following changes a few years ago in the local management of the project, a crisis is affecting the partnership between the Udege and the WWF-backed managers of the Changbai park in the Amur region. It appears that the WWF has been alerted at international level by the Udege, but is not taking the necessary measures to bring its practices into line with its own policy positions on strategy and principles regarding indigenous peoples.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2003)

The Commission is aware of the threat to the Amur tiger and has discussed this question with the Russian authorities in the framework of the EU-Russia Partnership and Co-operation Agreement.

The Siberian tiger is listed on Annex A of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (1) which implements the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the Union. This means that commercial trade in the species is prohibited and imports may only take place under exceptional circumstances, e.g. for research aimed at the conservation of the species.

In the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Environment on 20 September 2001, the Russian authorities explained that a National Strategy for the Protection of the Amur tiger exists and that Federal funding has been allocated for a special programme. The Amur tiger population was reported to be about 450, probably as high as it could be. An anti-poaching task force had been established, a Joint-Intervention Agreement had been signed with China and several meetings held (also with Japan and Korea) to coordinate action against poaching and smuggling. USD 3 million had been invested over the past three years to protect tigers; the programme was to be extended to cover other big cats.

TACIS projects are identified in a dialogue with the Russian authorities and are to be in line with the adopted strategy for Russia. Currently it is focussed on four main areas: support for institutional, legal and administrative reform; support to the private sector and assistance for economic development; support in addressing the social consequencies of transition; nuclear safety. The Commission has not received any proposal for consideration from the Russian authorities with regard to the situation of the Amur tiger. If received, the Commission will assess to what extent it corresponds to the strategy for assistance and which priority such a project proposal could get relative to other pressing needs.

The Commission is currently not aware of problems related to activities of the World Wild life Fund (WWF) in the Amur region and the indigenous Udege people.

(1)  OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.