WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3010/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Substainable farming projects
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/57 (98/C 134/69) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3009/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Ecological disaster on Lake Kerkinis Lake Kerkinis is an important and protected biotope in northern Greece and the area is particularly rich in flora and fauna, including a privately owned poplar plantation. In July 1994, the owner began felling the trees, despite the fact that hundreds of herons were nesting there and that their young were unable as yet to fly. This resulted in the death of over 200 birds and caused a public outcry in Greece. The relevant authorities did nothing to prevent the felling and took no action against the owner of the plantation. Is the Commission aware of this and is it prepared to call for explanations from the Greek Government with a view to ensuring that biotopes are more effectively protected and offenders penalized? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1997) Lake Kerkini, although artificial, is a very rich wetland which has been designated by the Greek authorities as a special protection area (SPA) under Directive No 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (1). It has also been proposed for protection under Directive No 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2). The site is one of the main areas where actions for a LIFE-Nature project ( Conservation of phalacrocorax pygmaeus and anser erythropus in Greeceí) are currently undertaken. Thus in mid-June 1997 the felling of a plantation of poplars carrying nests of herons came to the attention of the beneficiaries of the project who alerted immediately the Greek authorities. However, the plantation is located outside the SPA, in privately-owned land, and therefore it is not subject to the protection regime applying to the SPAs. Notwithstanding, the Commission is aware that the ministry of Agriculture issued a circular according to which the felling of poplars shall be prohibited during the breeding period (15 February to 30 July). For the future the relevant zone in the area of lake Kerkini will be covered by this prohibition. On the other hand the Commission has also been informed about other problems relating to the protection of lake Kerkini and will investigate the matter in order to have a clear view of the situation and, if necessary, initiate actions. (1) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979, as amended by Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden (OJ L 1, 1. 1. 1995). (2) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (98/C 134/70) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3010/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Substainable farming projects Is the Commission aware of the Tir Cymení scheme in Wales which supports sustainable foarming? Does it plan to support similar schemes? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 November 1997) The Tir Cymen programme is approved and cofinanced by the Commission under Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 (1), on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside