WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3386/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Coniferous afforestation in Ireland
C 134/154 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 4. 98 (98/C 134/208) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3385/97 by Fernando Moniz (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997) Subject: Textile and clothing industry in the EU The employersí associations and trade unions of the textile and clothing industry have been expressing their concern over the future of the sector, especially in view of the process of gradual integration into the GATT/WTO rules. The Commission and Parliament have shown increasing awareness of the importance of periodically assessing trends in the sector, as being vital for defining the outlines of any new action plans. An important analysis of the textile and clothing industry, drawn up by DG III (Industrial Affairs), was forwarded some time ago to DG XII (Science and Technology). However, no decision has been taken on the matter, without any plausible reason being advanced. Can the Commission explain the reasons for this delay? Can it also state when it foresees an end to the impasse thus created, which could prove damaging to workers and companies in the sector? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1997) The Commission communication on the plan of action to increase the competitiveness of the European textile and clothing industry has been adopted and forwarded to Parliament (1). (1) COM(97) 454 final. (98/C 134/209) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3386/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (16 October 1997) Subject: Coniferous afforestation in Ireland Ireland has by far the highest level of afforestation with non-indigenous species in the European Union. It is estimated that 80% of the trees planted in Ireland are non-indigenous, with sitka spruce as the dominant species. Spain has the next highest level of non-indigenous plantation › about 45%. Last year the Irish Government published Growing for the Future: a strategic plan for the development of the forestry sectorí. Though acknowledging that there has been some criticism by environmentalists of the type of afforestation pursued by the state company Coillte, it signalled that there would be no major shift from the policy of favouring conifers. Sitka spruce would comprise 60% of annual afforestation and diverse conifers (such as Norway spruce, Douglas fir, European larch and Scots pine) would comprise a further 20%. Meanwhile, the annual target for broadleaf afforestation remained at 20%. No afforestation level for native species was specified (although it was stipulated that oaks should comprise at least one fifth of the broadleaf plantation, it was not stated whether or not those oaks should be native Irish). A study also published last year by three Irish universities found high levels of acidity in areas with dense coniferous afforestation. Afforestation in Ireland is heavily dependent on EU financial support. The EU has agreed to provide IEP 66 million under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry and to date has allocated IEP 65 million to the forestry measures associated with the CAP