§ Sir Angus Maudeasked the Secretary of State for the' Environment whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the Council of Environment Ministers' meeting on 28 February.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI led the United Kingdom delegation at this meeting where the main matter discussed was again action on imports of certain harp and hooded seal pup products.
I am very pleased to report that, after prolonged discussion, the council agreed to adopt a directive under article 235 of the treaty of Rome, on conservation grounds. This will meet the concern of many hon. Members that there should be a formal community instrument on this subject. As I reported to the House on 7 December and 16 February—Vol. 33, c. 457, and Vol 37, c. 443—the United Kingdom pressed for such action at the last two meetings of the Council. In accordance with the assurance I gave the House on 16 February I played a major part in achieving unanimous support for the directive in the Council yesterday.
The draft directive provides for a two-year ban on imports of these products from 1 October, unless the Council decides otherwise on the basis of a report and a proposal from the European Commission. The Council chose to delay the taking effect of the directive in order to give the Commission time to investigate the scientific aspects and consequences of the culling of the two species of seal, with the countries mainly involved in sealing. I made it very clear that I think full consultation and co-operation with the Canadian and Norwegian Governments is essential since they, and not the European Community, 139W have powers to control the cull directly. The two year period of any ban is intended to give time for resolution of any remaining uncertainties.
In the United Kingdom the Government are monitoring trade to ensure that the voluntary ban agreed with the British Fur Trade Association is effective for the year beginning March 1983. This Community-wide action has already produced results. There will be no Norwegian cull of seal pups this year and any Canadian cull will be minimal. The implementation of the directive would give this action legislative force. Further, this instrument provides a sound basis for resolving this problem, which has given rise to so much Parliamentary and public concern.
The delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany announced their Government's intention to convene in 1984 an international conference on the protection of the North Sea, with particular reference to oil pollution, and to invite the participation of the European Commission and all states with a relevant interest.