Brussels, 30/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission, last week, said it was prepared to refer the French authorities to the Court of Justice for their failure to protect the habitat of the great hamster of Alsace. Despite several warnings from the Commission, France has still to put in place appropriate measures to ensure the survival of this little mammal.
Great hamsters of Alsace, larger than their domestic cousins, with a black belly and white paws, are being endangered by the virtual monoculture of maize, a food which they detest. From 2000, the Commission has flagged up the need for measures to be taken to protect their habitat and to ensure that there are other crops, such as wheat, barley, lucerne and cabbages, which they enjoy. The reaction from Paris has not been swift and, despite a final warning sent in June of last year (see EUROPE 9677), the Commission is still not convinced that the steps taken by the French authorities are adequate.
The case has not yet come to the Court, according to a number of sources. This is a first step by the Commission, sending the case to its own legal services so they can assess it. This could take several weeks or even several months, with this time often being the last chance for the member state to rectify the wrongs identified. (C.D./transl.rt)