WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3933/98 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER European Union aid for the conservation of Mediterranean forests
C 320/90 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 6. 11. 1999 (1999/C 320/122) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3933/98 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (4 January 1999) Subject: European Union aid for the conservation of Mediterranean forests Mediterranean forests are less profitable than the forests of Northern Europe, but their conservation is essential to maintaining the ecosystem. This view was expressed by those taking part in the International Conference on Mediterranean Forests held recently in the Spanish town of Benalmádena (Málaga). The aim of the meeting was to devise common policies among the countries bordering on the Mediterranean and to ensure the support of national and EU authorities for the forests in southern Europe. Can the Commission explain its position on the support advocated for the conservation of Mediterranean forests and what possible Community programme might be used to ensure that the ecosystem of the Mediterranean region is more effectively protected against the growing process of desertification afflicting it? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 February 1999) The Commission is well aware of the specific characteristics of Mediterranean forests and the need to ensure their conservation. There is already a range of Community measures under which aid can be granted for Mediterranean forests: Council Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 of 30 June 1992 instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture (1) (afforestation of agricultural land, improvement of wooded areas), Council Regulation (EEC) 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community’s forests against fire (2), and the regional programmes of the Structural Funds (EAGGF Guidance, Cohesion Fund). Within the Agenda 2000 (3) framework the Commission has drawn up a proposal for a Regulation on support for rural development from the EAGGF (4) that includes a forestry chapter covering inter alia ‘preserving and improving the ecological stability of forests or restoring damaged forests in areas with serious natural handicaps, where the protective and ecological role of these forests are in the general interest and where this role cannot be solely assured by income from sylviculture’ (Article 30). The provisions of this new Regulation together with the fire protection provisions of the existing Regulations should enable regional authorities to continue and reinforce from the year 2000 their action to conserve Mediterranean forests. (1) OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992. (2) OJ L 217, 31. 7. 1992. (3) COM(97) 2000 final. (4) OJ C 170, 4. 6. 1998. (1999/C 320/123) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3938/98 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (4 January 1999) Subject: Immediate prospects for the long-term nuclear fusion project The US Department of Energy’s decision to withdraw its researchers from foreign centres involved in the current ITER project presents the other partners @ the EU, Japan and Russia @ with difficult decisions