WRITTEN QUESTION E-0963/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Drought in Aragon.
20. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 53 E/47 Consequently the Commission has not foreseen financing for meetings among eligible institutions prior to presentation of project proposals under the framework of the ALFA programme, launched on 15 February 2000 (1). (1) OJ C 42, 15. 2. 2000. (2001/C 53 E/053) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0958/00 by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: EU contribution to tourism development in Melilla (29 March 2000) The city of Melilla, located in North Africa and part of the European Union, is seeking means of resolving the major problems affecting it, namely isolation and the need to diversify its economy through the sustained development of tourism. Potentially it offers a double attractiveness, as a European city for the Maghreb and as a gateway to Africa for Europe. Melilla therefore needs to implement a large-scale tourism plan, including the regeneration of its beaches and the improvement of sea and air communications links. These two key factors will make it possible to dynamise other elements that are needed for a far-reaching tourism development programme. Can the Commission state to what extent it believes that the EU can participate in an integrated tourism development plan for Melilla, to enable this city, situated in North Africa but part of the Union, to become, in the medium to long term, a genuine tourist attraction for all the Unionís Member States? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (25 May 2000) The autonomous city of Melilla is eligible under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds for the 2000-2006 programming period. At present Spainís operational programme proposals are in preparation prior to transmission to the Commission, which will of course give serious consideration to support for the development of tourism in Melilla if included. (2001/C 53 E/054) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0963/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (29 March 2000) Subject: Drought in Aragon The Spanish region of Aragon suffers from a serious structural drought problem. Since 1915 the national government has produced successive laws and programmes proposing irrigation schemes aimed at remedying the problem. However, many of these schemes have never got off the ground for budget reasons. Present nature conservation policies originating at EU level are having the effect of paralysing irrigation projects in large areas of Aragon, leading to the decided rejection of those policies by the great majority of the inhabitants of the areas affected, who feel that environmental protection is being given priority over allowing the farmers of Aragon the means of survival. C 53 E/48 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 Has the Commission considered formulas which could make it possible to reconcile the need to protect the environment with the avoidance of depopulation in the countryside? Does the Commission not believe that, as a matter of fairness, farmers who are prevented from irrigating their land for environmental reasons should receive financial compensation? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 May 2000) The new rural development policy adopted by the Council in June 1999 seeks to establish a coherent and permanent framework to guarantee the future of rural areas by encouraging the maintenance and creation of employment and by taking account of environmental requirements. The priorities of this development policy are strengthening the agricultural and forestry sector, making rural areas more competitive and preserving the environment and rural assets. The structural measures provided for by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (1) include aid for investments on agricultural holdings to preserve the natural environment, compensatory allowances in less-favoured areas or those subject to environmental constraints, agri-environmental aid and support for agricultural and rural activities to protect the environment. With particular regard to the compensatory allowances, Article 16 of the Regulation provides that payments to compensate for costs incurred and income foregone may be made to farmers who are subject to restrictions on agricultural use in areas with environmental restrictions as a result of the implementation of limitations on agricultural use based on Community environmental protection rules, if and in so far as such payments are necessary to solve the specific problems arising from those rules. Such measures should help meet the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member. It is up to the Member State to submit rural development programmes, in full compliance with the principle of subsidiarity. In areas, like Aragon, not covered by Objective 1, the Member States may submit rural development programmes which include these various measures for financing under the EAGGF Guarantee Section. Such programmes should in particular describe the situation of the area in question, its specific problems, the strategy proposed and its priorities and the measures which are intended to implement the plans. The Commission is currently considering the proposed rural development programmes submitted by the Spanish authorities on 30 December 1999 with a view to approving them as soon as possible. (1) OJ L 160, 26. 6. 1999. (2001/C 53 E/055) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0964/00 by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Location of the IUCN Mediterranean office in MÆlaga (29 March 2000) In her reply for the Commission to my question E-2415/99, Commissioner Wallström stated that the Mediterranean regional office of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is located in Seville, rather than, as I maintained, in MÆlaga. I regret to have to contradict Mrs Wallström, but am obliged to point out that this office is indeed located (Andalusia Technology Park). The Commissionís in MÆlaga, information is, therefore, incorrect. in the Parque Tecnológico de Andalucíaí May I ask the Commissioner if, in order to confirm the correctness of my assertion, she or a representative of hers would be willing to pay a visit to the IUCNís Mediterranean regional office, in order to obtain first- hand knowledge of it and contribute to the development of the activities it is planning?