This sort of reaction is always a small reward for all the efforts which go into such campaigns. I hope it will bear fruit. Laszlo is still being harassed by the authorities and hunters groups in Romania. Please pass the news on with thanks to all who took part in this campaign.

GÜNTER VERHEUGEN                             

MITGLIED DE EUROPAISCHEN KOMMISSION        

Rue de la Loi 200 - B-1049 Bruxelles

Wetstraat 200 - B-1049 Brussel

TEL. 02/298.11.00 - Fax. 02/298.11.99

Brussels, 21-01-2004

Mr. Laszlo Szeley-Szabo

AVES Foundation

Foundation for the Protection of Nature and Environment

P-ta Libertatii, nr. 25

RO-535600 ODORHEIU SECUIESC

Dear Mr. Szeley-Szabo, Thank you for your letter of 25 November 2003 regarding the hunting the Carpathian brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Romania

As you are aware, nature and natural resources conservation is a key priority of the EU environmental policy. According to Council Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural habitat and of wild fauna and flora of states, EU Member States have to ensure a favourable conservation status of natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest.

The Commission expects Romania to enforce this directive as of its accession to the EU, in order to do so, to transpose it into national legislation. To this effect, we are informed that law 462/2001 prohibits all forms of deliberate capture or killing species listed in Annex IV of the above-mentioned directive, wich includes Ursus arctos.

I am therefore concerned that, according to the information contained in your letter, hunting permits are delivered for species, which should be strictly protected.

I can assure you that in the intention of the Commission to seek clarifications from Romanian authorities in this respect at the earliest opportunity. (my highlighting DC)

Yours sincerely,

Günter Verheugen