WRITTEN QUESTION No. 240/98 by María ESTEVAN BOLEA to the Commission. Biological diversity
11. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 386/7 (98/C 386/007) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0238/98 by María Estevan Bolea (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1998) Subject: Biological diversity In accordance with the principle whereby in situ conservation has priority over ex situ conservation (as laid down in the convention on biological diversity), how does the Commission envisage conserving and maintaining natural habitats and ecosystems when the restoration of damaged ecosystems is carried out? Has the Commission any plans for a system for establishing appropriate criteria? (98/C 386/008) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0239/98 by María Estevan Bolea (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1998) Subject: Biological diversity What role does the EU allocate to botanical gardens in connection with the implementation of its Biological Diversity Strategy, as regards both áin situí and áex situí conservation? Does any initiative exist which could act as a logical follow-up to Parliamentís resolution on zoos and the role which they could be assigned as part of the Community conservation policy? (98/C 386/009) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0240/98 by María Estevan Bolea (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1998) Subject: Biological diversity In view of the importance of biodiversity to the protection of Europeís environment, it is essential for the biological diversity strategy to be based on a precise analysis of the current situation and the aims to be achieved, and on clear objectives and well-defined means. Would the Commission therefore answer the following questions: 1. How is it envisaged within the EU strategy that species of wild flora and fauna should be conserved as essential components of biological diversity? Is it intended that specific action plans relating to this issue will be drawn up? 2. Do the departments responsible for applying other policies (agriculture, fisheries, transport and energy, tourism, international cooperation, etc. ) do anything which could have an adverse effect on biological diversity in the EU? 3. In drawing up the EU strategy, is the Commission taking into consideration the fact that, in the application of such policies, the degree of biological richness of the individual Member States is a factor which may require that application to be modulated? 4. What action is the Commission contemplating in connection with the EU strategy in order to encourage application of CITES, given that the EU, as a consumer of biodiversity from other countries, has responsibilities in terms of the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity outside its territory?