HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO CITES COP15 DEMARCHE ON U.S. SPECIES

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000047

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/ENRC - Lloyd Gamble

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KSCA CITES AORC UNEP
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO CITES COP15 DEMARCHE ON U.S. SPECIES
PROPOSALS

REF: STATE 6668


1. On January 25, post conveyed reftel points and non-paper on U.S.
proposals for the upcoming CITES COP-15 to Zoltan Czirak, Counselor
at the Ministry of Environment's Department of Biodiversity. On
January 27, Mr. Czirak provided a written response, as well as
information on Hungary's delegation to CITES COP-15. Post's
informal translation of Czirak's response follows:


2. HUNGARIAN DELEGATION TO CITES COP15

Dr Katalin Rodics (Head of Delegation)
Ministry of Environment
Deputy Head of Department of Biodiversity
Budapest 1011
Fo utca 44-50
Tel:0036-1-457-3555
Fax:0036-1-275-4505
Email:Rodics@mail.kvvm.hu

Mr Levente Korosi
Ministry of Environment
Department of Biodiversity
Expert Advisor

Mr Zoltan Czirak
Ministry of Environment
Department of Biodiversity
Counselor


3. SHARK PROPOSALS:
Hungary is not directly affected by this issue. However, Hungary
traditionally stands up for global nature conservation goals
including measures addressing sea species. The GOH supports both
U.S. shark proposals.


3. CORALS:
The GOH supports the listing of the red and pink corals in Appendix
II, for the same reasons as above. Concerning this proposal the EU
is a co-sponsor along with the U.S.


4. TRANSFER OF POLAR BEAR (Ursus maritimus) FROM CITES
APPENDIX II TO APPENDIX I:
Hungary supports the transfer of the polar bear from CITES Appendix
II to Appendix I. It is important to note that EU Member States
will vote uniformly in every question. Within the EU, the GOH
supports this proposal, although several other EU member states
oppose it. How Hungary will vote on this will depend on the final
outcome of internal discussions among EU member states. To be able
to vote YES, the U.S. does not need to convince Hungary, but rather
other EU member states.



5. DELETION OF BOBCAT (Lynx rufus) FROM APPENDIX II:
Hungary is strongly opposed to this U.S. proposal. Contrary to the
U.S. position, the GOH believes the bobcat cannot be distinguished
from the Eurasian lynx which is an indigenous species in Hungary and
highly protected. The U.S. proposal has been investigated by
authorities that take part in the practical implementation of CITES
including the nature conservation authority, customs office, and
animal health authority. The uniform opinion of the executive
authorities is that distinguishing varieties within the lynx species
is very difficult and requires expertise. Therefore the de-listing
of the bobcat from Appendix II would create a serious problem from a
CITES implementation point of view and would threaten the lynx
species that is found in Hungary. The Hungarian position is firm on
this question. The GOH cannot accept the U. S. proposal and would
support its withdrawal from consideration. According to the GOH's
information, as a compromise some countries may propose to list the
bobcat in Appendix III in the event its removal from Appendix II
gains support during the conference. In the GOH view, this cannot
be a solution since listing a species on the basis of resemblance is
not among the criterion for Appendix III, and conversely is an
unambiguous criterion for listing a species under Appendix II.
Furthermore, controlling the import into and trading within the EU
would not be extremely difficult or impossible.



6. SNAKE TRADE AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT:
The GOH supports this U.S. proposal.


KOUNALAKIS