Vragen over EU-certi­fi­caten voor over­brenging binnen de EU die vrij­stel­lingen van de verbods­be­pa­lingen van Veror­dening (EG) nr. 338/97 van de Raad toestaan

Indiendatum: 6 jul. 2023

Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 138
Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE), Pascal Durand (S&D)

The wild-born female orca Morgan is the only captive orca in the EU protected as an Annex A specimen under Article 8(1) of Regulation 338/97. Under Article 8(1) public display for commercial purposes and use for commercial gain of an Annex A specimen is prohibited.

Dutch authorities issued EU Certificate 11NL114808/20 to Dolfinarium Harderwijk for the single transfer of Morgan to Loro Parque (attachment). The Certificate is transaction specific under Articles 11(4) and 48(1)(d) of Regulation 865/2006.

1. Does the Commission agree box 1 of the Certificate identifies Dolfinarium Harderwijk as “holder” and box 20 expresses the Dutch authority’s intention to issue a transaction specific certificate?

2. Given the Certificate states that it is ‘valid only for the holder in box 1’ isn’t Loro Parque required to request a new certificate to be exempt from the provisions in Article 8(1) of the Regulation, following Morgan’s transfer and Loro Parque’s subsequent commercial use of Morgan?

3. Is the Commission aware of any EU Certificate issued to Loro Parque to display Morgan for commercial purposes and if not, what does this say about implementation of Regulation 338/97 regarding protections to be afforded the only wild-born Annex A orca in captivity in the EU?