P734 CJJFAX 734 Sun 3 Mar 20:44/34 1/3 O T DRIFTNETS: ITALY MAY FACE NEW PRJSSURJ Italy may face renewed pressure ovjt the use of illegal driftnets following a court ruling in the US. As recently as July of last year, Italian fishing vessels were seen using illegbl nets of over 2.5km in length. It is claimed that thousands of whales and dolphins die in the nets each year. The US court ruling could force the American government to take action against Italy ovjt the use of the nets. Newsround 170 Read Hear 710 Community 720 Religion 740 Next Page Round Up CmntyJnfo ReligionP734 CJJFAX 734 Sun 3 Mar 20:48/49 2/3 O T DRIFTNETS: ITALY MAY FACE NEW PRJSSURJ Under US law, the government is obliged to name countries it has reason to bjlievj are using illegal driftnets. If a named country fails to stop the use of the nets, the US is legally obliged to impose sanctions. A judge has ruled that Italy is guilty of using illegal nets and that the US has failed to implement its own laws bz not naming Italy as an offender. If Italian fishermen continue to use the nets, the US will now bj obliged to place a ban on imports of Italian fish and fish products. %,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Next Page Round Up CmntyJnfo ReligionP734 CJJFAX 734 Sun 3 Mar 20:48/29 3/3 T DRIFTNETS: ITALY MAY FACE NEW PRJSSURJ The court ruling came after a coalition of environmental groups took legal action against the US govjrnmjnt. One of the groups involved was the Whale and Dolphin Consjrvbtion Society. A WDCS spoSjsmbn said the ruling was a "victory for the thousands of whales and dolphins that have been needlessly dying in driftnets". He added: "Wj hope that this judgment will now force the EU and the US to take action against illegal Italian driftnjtting at last. Community 720 Religion 740 Next Page Round Up CmntyJnfo Religion