WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3425/97 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Norwegian salmon farms in the Tana Fjord
C 158/108 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 5. 98 (98/C 158/141) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3425/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) to the Commission (31 October 1997) Subject: Norwegian salmon farms in the Tana Fjord The Norwegian State has granted permits, contrary to the recommendations of the regional environmental authorities and the Finnish-Norwegian border waters commission, for the rearing of salmon in the Tana Fjord in bag-shaped netting enclosures. This authorization for the rearing of salmon in the Tana Fjord is all the more surprising since the Norwegian State, in conjunction with the Norwegian environmental protection organization, demanded the closure of the fish farming establishment at Inari (Finland) on the grounds that it posed a threat to the naturally occurring strain of salmon in the Tenojoki (Tana) river. The Finnish State did in fact close the Inari fish farm. In the light of the above the Norwegian State has shown great irresponsibility in permitting the farming of fish in netting enclosures in the Tana Fjord. Such installations increase the risk of spreading fish diseases and impairing the genome quality of the naturally occurring Tenojoki salmon. The Norwegiansí activities pose a threat not only to the natural Tenojoki salmon, but also to livelihoods in the fishing and tourist industries in the Tenojoki valley. The destruction of the natural salmon stock would have incalculable consequences for the whole valley. What measures can the Commission take to clarify the fishery situation in the Tenojoki and to protect the natural Tenojoki salmon and the whole of the Tenojoki valley from destruction? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (11 December 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-2907/97 by Mrs Hautala (1). (1) OJ C 134, 30. 4. 1998, p. 35. (98/C 158/142) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3430/97 by Johannes Swoboda (PSE) to the Council (3 November 1997) Subject: Political, economic and ecological effects of the disastrous fires in Indonesia Various sections of the media have drawn attention to the connection between deliberate clearance by burning for the benefit of large companies, in particular the palm oil industry, the personal economic interests of President Suharto and his family and the recent large-scale fires with their attendant environmental effects. To what extent is the Council considering these accusations against the Indonesian government and what steps is the Council taking to prevent such large-scale fires in future, which have devastating environmental consequences and drive out and destroy small farmers? Answer (26 January 1998) At the ASEM Economic Ministersí Meeting at Makuhari in Japan on 30 September 1997, Ministers from the European Union Member States, the President of the Council and the Commission exchanged views with the Asian countries (including Indonesia) on the problem of fires. Ministers stressed the importance of interregional cooperation and solidarity in preventing and mitigating the effects of major environmental phenomenas such as forest fires and floods