MEPs were as outspoken as ever in regard to animal welfare. They were responding to the agreement between the EU, Canada and the Russian Federation on standards for all mechanical restraining and killing devices used to trap 18 species of animals. Carlos Pimenta (P, EPP) considered that the accord "fails dramatically in terms of its animal welfare and environmental objectives". It also failed to reconcile the trade and environment issue, as the United States had refused to endorse the agreement.
Animal traps have long been a controversial issue, and animal welfare groups and public opinion have kept it in the media spotlight. The draft agreement allows the continued use of leg-hold traps in non-EU countries for at least another four years. It may actually classify some types of leg-hold trap as "humane". Mr Pimenta complained that the views of the EU's own scientific experts had been ignored and insufficient weight had been given to an assessment of animal pain and fear. He called on the Council and Commission to reject the proposed agreement as "totally inadequate and ineffective".