Europeans Assailed on Rare-Species Trade

The militant environmentalist group Greenpeace has accused some European countries of failing to enforce rules banning trade in animals and plants in danger of extinction, and it urged creation of a new agency to enforce the regulations.

In a report Tuesday, Greenpeace said that Spain and Italy impose no penalties on those trading in rare and exotic species. It added that France has allowed the shell of an endangered species of turtle to be imported to make eyeglass frames, while Britain defies the rules by allowing Cayman Island tortoise products to enter its market.