The disoriented Arctic
Robin des Bois (Robin Hood) has been an observer to the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic since 2005. It is the only NGO based in France with this status. The Convention’s area covers a total of 13.5 million km2, divided into 5 regions: Arctic Waters (5.53 million km2), Greater North Sea (and English Channel), Celtic Sea, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast, and Wider Atlantic. The Arctic is the meeting point of river, marine, and atmospheric pollution emitted by sub-Arctic and coastal countries. On October 4, November 28, 2022, January 23, May 25, October 16, 17 and 18, 2023, and January 30-31, 2024, Gaëlle Guilissen, representing Robin des Bois, took part in the first cycle of the Arctic Outcomes Working Group, in person or virtually. The objective is to draw up a final document, to be delivered in 2024, outlining the threats facing the Arctic Waters region and proposing remedial action. A further meeting is scheduled for March 6. Robin des Bois will come back to this vital issue later this year.
Frogs’ legs: letter from 42 NGOs to European ministers
On the initiative of Robin des Bois and Pro Wildlife, 42 NGOs*, including 18 French ones, yesterday wrote to the environment ministers of the 27 EU Member States asking them to put an end to uncontrolled imports of frogs’ legs and to propose, at the next Conference of the Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in 2025, the inclusion in Appendix II of frog species whose legs are imported into Europe for culinary purposes. Appendix II enables control of international trade. The NGOs are also calling for imports to be suspended because of the unacceptable and cruel killing methods used. The letter sent is available by clicking on the link.
