Amended proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CO I | I ! A. * ^ "* w * *" in * Brussels,08. 05 1996 COM(%)2l9 final 95/ 0098 (CNS) Amended proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC-Treaty) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM Pursuant to Article 189 (a) paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty, the Commission submits an amended proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection. The amended proposal takes account of a number' of amendments from the European Parliament, adopted at its April 1996 Plenary Session. Several amendments aim at clarifying the nature and the objectives of the proposed action programme. Most of them are incorporated in the amended proposal (recitals 2a; 4; 6; 8; art. 3, 2(b); annex: points A. l and 2; annex: point B), namely amendments 2 (second part), 3, 4 (second part), 6, 7, 11, 20 (second and third parts), 21 (first part) and 23 (first part). Because the original Commission's proposal takes into account the progressive setting up of the Community cooperation in the field of civil protection, the amendments 2 (first part) and 4 (first pari) arc not accepted. Amendment 1, referring to the Fifth Action programme, in fact duplicates with recital 3 of the original proposal and is therefore not accepted. scope of the programme by bringing positive Some other amendments enlarge the additional elements to the objectives as well as the criteria for actions to be developed. These amendments - namely amendments 8, 9, 10 (with the exception of the reference to cessation or closure of the activity or installation which are not part of the programme), 12, 13, 15 (first part), 22 (second part), 23 (fourth and fifth parts) - are integrated in the amended proposal (art. 1; art. 3, 2(a), (c) and (d); art. 3, 4; Annex: point A. 3 and point B). However, amendment 8 (third part) which adds the coordination of regional and subregional potential when combating major disaster cannot be accepted. Indeed, the Community action programme does not aim at coordinating but at supporting efforts which are developed within the Member States. In the same spirit, amendment 22 (first part) cannot be accepted because the objective of the Community simulation exercises is not to evaluate but to back up progress in national civil protection systems. Several amendments aim at introducing a reference to the specificity of the Union's isolated and ultraperipheral regions and to the role to be played by organizations or bodies specializing in the civil protection domain. These amendments (amendments 5, 14 (part 1 and 2), 15 (part 2), 21 (part 4) and 23 (part 2) - are partly incorporated in the amended proposal (recitals 4a and 5; art. 3, 3; Annex: point A. 2 and point B) because they bring a new and to the action programme. However, amendment 14 part 3 cannot be accepted: this amendment requests the Commission to investigate the possibility of presenting a scheme of specific measures for these regions in conjunction with third countries. Such specific measures are not envisaged in the frame of the proposed action programme, except when this is requested in the context of the opening of Community programmes on the basis of Europe Agreements or relevant Additional Protocols thereto. important dimension As far as amendment 25 is concerned, the possibility for a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) to request the Commission's support for the mechanisms set up by a NGO in case of a disaster inside or outside of the Union cannot be accepted because such organizations have not been notified as competent authorities (Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 8 July 1991 on improving mutual aid between Member States in the event of natural or technological disaster - OJ n° C 198 of 27. 7. 1991, p 1-3). Amendments referring to comitology and changing in this respect the original proposal of the Commission (amendments 16, 17, 18, 27 and 28) are not acceptable because they are not in accordance with the Council Decision of 13 July 1987 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (OJ - L 197 of 18. 7. 1987, p. 33-35) or because they intend to limit these powers. As far as the evaluation of the implementation of the action programme is concerned, amendment 19 (second part) and amendment 31 (first part) can be accepted (art. 5) because it is considered that the transmission of this evaluation also to the European Parliament improves the process. The fact that this evaluation will be transmitted for information to the Committee mentioned in article 4 is considered as sufficient as far as transparency is concerned. Article 31 (part 2) is therefore not accepted. As far as the rhythm of evaluation is concerned (amendment 19 - part 1), the original proposal foreseeing a rhythm of three years is maintained. Finally, some amendments concern the action programme. Amendment 21 (part 5) is not accepted nor 23 (part 3) because they request 100% funding while it is considered that a shared cost approach contributes to increase the co- responsibility of partners. Amendment 24 (part 2) can be accepted (Annex: point C). financial aspects of Amended proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty) Commission proposal Amended proposal Recital 2 a (new) Whereas a better consideration for the environmental aspects can contribute to prevent many disasters, in particular natural disasters such as floods: Recital 4 of the establishment Whereas a Community action programme will help to develop cooperation in the field even more effectively; whereas such a programme should be based to a large extent on experience already gained in this field; of the establishment Whereas a Community action programme will help to develop cooperation in this field even more effectively the resolutions adopted since 1987: whereas such a programme should be based to a large extent on and should further develop experience already gained in this field; further develop and Recital 4 a (new) Whereas the geography, landscape and social and economic characteristics of the Union's isolated and ultraperipheral regions affect and impede the bringing in of aid and means in cases of major risk: Recital 5 to action prepare involved those Whereas in civil responsible for and and environmental protection emergencies in the Member States is important, in order to increase their degree of preparedness; other to other action prepare involved those Whereas in civil responsible for and and environmental protection emergencies in the Member States is important, in order to increase their degree of preparedness; whereas organizations or bodies other than public authorities play often a major role in civil protection and should therefore be given the possibility to take part in the programme: Recital 6 Whereas it is also important to undertake action targeted at the general public so as to protect to help European citi/ens themselves more effectively; Whereas it is also important to undertake practical action targeted at the general public so as to help European citizens to protect themselves more effectively and with greater solidarity in the event of any disaster or emergency and increase their regards shared environmental protection and awareness of health hazards which could arise from specific disasters, such as the accidental release of toxic materials: whereas such action corresponding support activities in the Member States: responsibility should as Recital 8 Whereas in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supplements national policies in the field of civil protection and environmental emergencies in order to make them more effective; whereas pooling of experience and mutual assistance will help to reduce the loss of human life and economic and environmental damage the Community; throughout Whereas, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supplements national policies in the field of civil protection and environmental emergencies in order to make them more effective; whereas pooling of experience and mutual assistance will help to reduce the loss of human life and economic and environmental damage the Community, thus making more tangible the goals of social cohesion, solidarity and European citizenship: throughout Article of civil protection, emergencies, A Community action programme in the including field environmental is hereby established. The action making up the programme and for granting Community financial support are set out in the Annex. the arrangements of civil protection, emergencies, A Community action programme in the including field environmental is hereby established. The action making up the programme and for granting Community financial support are set out in the Annex. This action seeks, inter alia, to enhance exchanges of experiences at all levels. the arrangements Article 3, 2 a) b) c) to increasing This individual action shall be selected primarily on the basis of the following criteria: (a) contribution the degree of preparedness of those involved in civil protection in the Member States, in order to increase their ability to an emergency; (b) c o n t r i b u t i on techniques response: pilot projects; improving of and methods respond to to (ç) contribution to public information, education and awareness, so as to help citizens to protect themselves more effectively. 2. This individual action shall be selected primarily on the basis of the following criteria: (a) contribution to the prevention of natural and technological disasters: inter alia by introducing the risks of disaster in the environmental impact assessment and taking any preventive measures required and by studying the causes of disasters and publishing the results of these studies: (b) contribution to increasing the degree of preparedness of those primarily responsible for and most directly involved in civil protection in the Member States at all levels, in order to increase their ability to respond to an emergency; and procedures by m e a ns (c) contribution to improving means and methods of forecasting and of techniques r e s p o n se of demonstration and pilot projects; (d) contribution to public information, education and awareness, so as to help citizens to protect themselves more effectively and show a greater sense of shared responsibility. Article 3, 3 3. Each action individual be implemented in close cooperation with the local national, authorities concerned. regional shall or shall action national, individual be Each implemented in close cooperation with the local authorities concerned and particularly and with ultraperipheral regions. the Union's regional isolated or Article 3, 4 4. Each action shall take account of the results of the Community and national research in the relevant fields. 4. Each action shall take account of the results of the Community and national research in the relevant fields and of those techniques which best safeguard the environment. Article 5 Every three years the Commission shall evaluate implementation of the action programme and shall inform the committee referred to in Article 4 accordingly. Every three years the Commission shall evaluate implementation of the action programme and shall inform the European Parliament and the committee referred to in Article 4 accordingly. Annex: point A (1) A. Action contributing to increasing the degree of preparedness of those involved in civil protection A. Action contributing to increasing the degree of preparedness of those involved in civil protection 1. Training 1. Training Organization of (mainly self-tuition) workshops bringing together high-level experts from the Member each discipline, the mutual sharing of experience by means of in-depth discussions of their methods, techniques and means with a view to: permitting, within States the conditions increasing their degree of preparedness; creating establishment of permitting more cooperation between Member States case of emergency. the network operational in a effective human for Maximum Community financial contribution: 75% of the total cost of the action, with a ceiling of 62. 500 ECU per action. Organization of (mainly self-tuition) workshops bringing together high-level experts, technical specialists and technicians from the Member States permitting, within each discipline, the mutual sharing of experience by means of discussions in specific terms of their methods, techniques and means with a view to: Maximum Community financial contribution: 75% of the total cost of the action, with a ceiling of 62. 500 ECU per action. increasing their degree of preparedness; creating the conditions for the establishment of a human network permitting more effective operational cooperation between Member States in case of emergency. Annex: point A (2) 2. Exchange of experts 2. Exchange of experts and technicians Organization of exchanges of Member State experts enabling them to follow short training courses in another Member State run by a training body or another civil protection department. Organization of the secondment to another Member State of one or more trainers who are particularly qualified to present certain training courses or modules. 100% of the experts' travel and subsistence expenses and the costs of the coordinating system for an initial period of two years (1995-1996). T h e r e a f t e r, t he financing of experts' travel and subsistence expenses will be limited to 75%. Organization of exchanges of Member State experts, technicial specialists and technicians enabling them to follow short training courses in another Member State run by a training body or another civil protection department, with particular attention to the services responsible for dealing with disasters in the isolated and ultraperipheral regions. Organization of the secondment to another Member State of one or more trainers who are particularly qualified to present certain training courses or modules. 100% of the experts' travel and subsistence expenses and the costs of coordinating the system for an initial period of two years (1995-1996),. T h e r e a f t e r, t he financing of experts' travel and subsistence expenses will be limited to 75%. 10 Annex: point A (3) 3. Community simulation exercises 3. Community simulation exercises These exercises are to compare methods and to back up progress in national civil protection systems. intended intended These exercises are to compare methods and to back up progress in national to civil protection systems with a view improving, inter alia, the effectiveness and speed of response in case of disasters. t he from Maximum Community financial contribution: of 5 0 % participation costs of observers the other Member States t he i n v i t ed organizing State, the cost of organizing the associated workshops, preparing the exercise, the final report, etc. by f from Maximum Community financial contribution: t he 5 0 participation costs of observers the other Member States invited the organizing State, the cost of organizing the associated workshops, preparing the exercise, the final report, etc. by Annex: point B B. Projects contributing to improving techniques and methods of response: B. Projects contributing to improving techniques and methods of response. Pilot projects Pilot projects to increase the Member Projects designed States' response capacity. These projects are aimed mainly at improving means, techniques and procedures. Their scope should be such as to interest all or several Member States. Maximum Community financial contribution: 50% of the total cost of each project. Projects designed to increase the capacity for and speed of response of the officials most directly involved in the initial stages of crises in the different regions of Member States. These projects are aimed mainly at improving means, techniques and procedures also in the isolated and ultraperipheral regions. Their scope should be such as to interest all or several Member States by giving them the maximum follow-up publicity and demonstration the Union for their implementation. throughout Maximum Community financial contribution: 50% of the total cost of each project. The greatest possible encouragement should be g i v en multinational projects. to 11 Annex: point C C. Action contributing to improving public information, education and awareness, so as to protect themselves more effectively10 to help citizens C. Action contributing to improving public information, education and awareness, so as to help citizens to protect themselves more effectively10 Maximum Community financial contribution: 50% of the total cost of the action. Action encouraging exchanges of experience between Member States, regions and local authorities in the field of initiatives to improve public information, education and awareness, so as to help citizens to protect themselves more effectively. The idea is to build on the work done by the Member States and to enable the authorities and other organizations concerned to benefit in other Member States. The target group is the general public, focusing in particular on schoolchildren and young people receiving initial vocational training. similar experience from regions and Action encouraging exchanges of experience between Member States, local authorities in the field of initiatives to improve public information, education and awareness, so as to help citizens to protect themselves more effectively. The idea is to build on the work done by the Member States and to enable the authorities and other organizations concerned to benefit from similar experience in other Member States. The target group is the general public, in particular on schoolchildren and focusing young people vocational training. receiving initial Maximum Community financial contribution: 50% of the total cost of the action. Distribution of exhibitions. information and travelling 100%) financing Distribution of exhibitions. information and travelling Up to 100%) financing 10 The Community action in the field of public health is excluded from this programme (cf. in particular the Commission communication and proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action on health promotion, information, education and training within the framework of the action in the field of public health, OJ n° C 252, 9. 9. 1994, p. 3) (*) (*) This proposal has been adopted on 29 March 1996 fOJ n° L 95. 16. 4. 1996. p. 1) 12 ISSN 0254-1475 COM(96) 219 final DOCUMENTS EN 14 05 Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-230-EN-C ISBN 92-78-04198-X Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg J*