WRITTEN QUESTION P-3774/02

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Council

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Delay in implementing the diamond certification system

Is it true that the certificates required for the diamond trade have not yet been printed?

Has this anything to do with opposition to the Commission proposal from Belgium and the United Kingdom?

Is it correct that this will result in a delay in implementing the certification system?

Can the Council give an assurance that the system will come into force on 1 February 2003 if it looks as if it is unable to meet the deadline of 1 January 2003 announced earlier?

Reply

(13 May 2003)

The Council has been informed that the printing of the certificates provided for in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 of 20 December 2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds was finalised on 20 January 2003.

As regards the implementation of the system and in accordance with its forecasts, the Council would ask the Honourable Member to refer to Council Regulation (EC) No 254/2003 of 11 February 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds, as also to Commission Regulation (EC) No 257/2003 of 11 February 2003 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002.