France has taken a step backward regarding its position on a proposal to suspend international trade of Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna, according to Greenpeace.
In July, French President Nicolas Sarkozy supported Monaco's proposal in July to list Atlantic bluefin tuna on Appendix I of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Since then, France has put forward a more ambiguous, intermediary position, suggesting instead to list Atlantic bluefin tuna on Appendix II, which is less restrictive than Appendix I.
According to CITES, Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, and "in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival."
On Tuesday, the European Commission, including Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, agreed to adopt a joint position backing the proposal.
"The European Commission is showing the way, but France has made a step backward," said environmental activist group Greenpeace.
For France, it would appear, Appendix II would leave room for the possibility of an export regime. But France has also suggested the notion of a moratorium on international trade for two years.
"It doesn't mean anything because there is no Appendix II proposal," Greenpeace ocean campaigner Francois Chartier told SeafoodSource, adding that France is under "very strong pressure" from the country's fishermen.
"At the same time that Europe is finally conscious of the urgent need to protect this species, it is incomprehensible," said Chartier. "Only a worrying permeability from short-term commercial interests can explain it."
Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are among the European Union countries that in recent weeks supported a complete ban.
September 13, 2009
