WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1416/99 by Bartho PRONK Accommodating refugees from Kosovo
29. 1. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 27 E/57 Finlandís own wolf population is fairly small, some 70-90 animals, which equates to five annually breeding. Taking into account those wolves whose lairs and habitat are chiefly situated in border areas in Russia, the wolf population in Finland was put at 120 animals in 1997. The justification for the hunting of wolves is that they are pests and should be eliminated. However, wolves kill or injure only tiny numbers of domestic and farm animals. In 1997 the cost of the damage caused by wolves in North Karelia was put at FIM 63 912. In response, the Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry approved a hunting quota of 10 wolves. By comparison, in 1997 wolverines caused damage to the reindeer population whose cost amounted to FIM 5 648 700. Nevertheless, no hunting permits were issued for wolverines. Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (7 October 1999) The Commission became aware of possible problems in relation to wolf hunting in Finland through complaints and through the biennial report on derogations transmitted by Finland under Article 16 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora (1). This report, which arrived at the Commission on 9 July 1999 concerns the years 1997 and 1998. The Commission is currently analysing the report in order to take a decision on the conformity of the derogation to shoot wolves and other large carnivores. In this end, the Commission requested the Finnish authorities to provide additional information on the application of specific grounds under Article 16 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC. This information reached the Commission in August 1999. Once the analysis is finished, the Commission will take all appropriate measures, if any discrepancies should be found. (1) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (2000/C 27 E/068) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1416/99 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Accommodating refugees from Kosovo Accommodating refugees from Kosovo is an increasingly serious problem. Does the Commission feel it would be possible to use for the emergency accommodation of refugees ocean-going vessels providing they have the requisite facilities and accommodation to receive hundreds of refugees? Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1999) If the Honourable Memberís question refers to the reception within the territory of the Community of refugees from Kosovo, 14,3 million € from the Community budget was provided to Member States for their reception and care. The precise details concerning accommodation of these refugees was a matter for the Member States, but to the Commissionís knowledge, no ships were used for accommodation purposes. If the Honourable Memberís question refers to the reception within the region (Albania, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro) of refugees and displaced persons from Kosovo, this took the form either of reception in host families or in refugee camps. The Community, via ECHO, participated in the running of these camps. The use of ships was not considered. If, however, the Honourable Member is referring to the use of ships for the reception within Kosovo of those refugees and displaced persons who have returned to Kosovo in recent weeks, this was obviously not considered. The majority of these people have already returned either to their places of origin or are being accommodated with family elsewhere in Kosovo