§ Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the outcome of the Council of Environment Ministers' meeting on 17 December.
§ Mr. Chris Pattenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's Government will support the European Economic Community Council's proposal for binding European Economic Community legislation to prohibit the import of baby seal products into the European Economic Community at the meeting of the European Economic Community Council on 17 December in Brussels.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI led the United Kingdom delegation at this meeting, at which the principal item discussed, as on 3 December, was a range of proposals relating to the import into the Community of the products of harp and hooded seal pups (whitecoats and bluebacks).
I am glad to report that, after prolonged and difficult discussions, the Council reached unanimous agreement on a wide-ranging resolution which will close the main market for these products before the next cull. Member States have undertaken to adopt all measures necessary to prevent such imports. The Commission has been instructed to undertake a comprehensive examination of all aspects of the cull and to explore proposals put forward by Canada for the international management of Atlantic seals. The Council will review the justification for further Community action by 1 March next year in the light of progress made by the Commission.
As I reported to the House on 7 December, so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, agreement has already been reached with the British Fur Trade Federation on effective controls from 1 March 1983. These will be monitored by the Government. In addition, the House will be aware that 378W from 1 January 1981, all seal skin products sold in this country have had to be marked as such, thus allowing consumers to make their own choice about the purchase of these products.
I am satisfied that these measures by the Community should meet the concern expressed both in this House and by the public that action be taken to prevent trade while doubts remain about the humanity and consequences of the cull. I understand that the Community market accounts for over 90 per cent. of the world market in these products and the decisions taken on Friday will virtually bring this trade to a halt.
The Council also reached agreement on a resolution approving the general approach of the third Community action programme on the environment for 1982–86. This resolution identifies certain priority areas for Community action and notes considerations which will guide the Commission in drawing up its proposals.
The Council took note of a Commission communication on a list of 129 substances recommended as possible subjects for control as to their discharge into the aquatic environment. The Council agreed on a resolution, proposed by the Netherlands delegation, designed to assist the Commission in its studies by encouraging member states to collect and submit to the Commission relevant data on these substances, with special priority for a list of eleven substances.