WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1963/97 by Undine-Uta BLOCH von BLOTTNITZ to the Commission. EU species protection legislation and the situation of migratory birds
C 45/130 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 2. 98 Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1997) Over ECU 200 000 has been authorised for specific economic and monetary union (EMU) euro-related projects in the United Kingdom, mainly in response to requests from the non-governmental sector. However, the former British government decided that a national information campaign on this subject was inappropriate in advance of a decision by the United Kingdom to join EMU, and the Commission has been careful to respect that decision. In other Member States, however, the Commission has been pleased to enter into joint actions with governments to provide information. This accounts for the difference in size of the funding allocated to the United Kingdom and the other Member States. (98/C 45/167) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1963/97 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission (9 June 1997) Subject: EU species protection legislation and the situation of migratory birds In Europe migratory birds are severely endangered. Ornithologists have recently pointed out that since the beginning of the 20th century populations of the 70 indigenous species of migratory birds have declined by 70%. They consider that the wide-ranging impact of humans on the ecosystem is responsible for this situation. The expertsí main criticisms are directed at the loss of valuable habitats, the lack of adequate resting areas, the use of pesticides and other environmental toxins and the hunting of animals. 1. What steps has the Commission taken to improve significantly the situation of these endangered species of migratory birds? 2. Does the Commission consider the efforts of the European Union in the field of environmental and species protection to be adequate in view of the tardy or sometimes non-existent transposition of EU environmental and species protection legislation in the Member States? 3. How does the Commission intend to improve the situation as regards the transposition of legislation? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (7 July 1997) In its coordinating role the Commission monitors progress by the Member States responsible for implementing Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (1). The Community provides financial support under Regulation (EC) No 1404/96 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1973/92 establishing a financial instrument for the environment (2) to assist conservation actions for endangered bird species and their habitats in areas classified as special protection areas under Directive 79/409/EEC. Under this regulation action plans have recently been prepared for globally threatened bird species in Europe. The Commission is of the view that many Member States have not yet respected all their obligations under this directive, particularly with regard to a sufficient level of classification as special protection areas of the most suitable territories for endangered bird species listed in Annex I as well as for migratory bird species. The Commission opens legal proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty where there is evidence that Member States are failing to respect their obligations under this directive. There are at present proceedings against several Member States for failure to provide a sufficient number and area of special protection areas. (1) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (2) OJ L 181, 20. 7. 1996