WRITTEN QUESTION P-2750/99 by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission. Turtles, nature conservation and accession: Cyprus.
C 26 E/8 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 26. 1. 2001 improving the capacity for luggage and passport control etc. ). Contrary to the view held by the honourable Member, the Italian authorities have indeed sent the information which the Commission had asked to receive on carrying out work and improvements. The Commission is currently checking this information. (1) Commission Decision of 16 September 1998 on a procedure relating to the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 (Case VII/AMA/11/98 ü Italian traffic distribution rules for the airport system of Milan). OJ L 337, 12. 12. 1998. (2001/C 26 E/009) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2735/99 by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Free entry to museums for Community citizens between the ages of 55 and 65 Cultural tourism among the 55- to 65-year old age group in Europe is a source of cultural enrichment, a healthy way of using free time and a source of many new jobs. Does the Commission intend to issue a directive to boost this type of tourism and to make it more accessible? In addition, can the Commission ask the Italian minister Mr Melandri to amend the regulation published in the Italian Official Journal No 253, 27. 10. 1999, which restricts free entry to monuments, museums, archaeological sites, and parks etc. to those over the age of 65, so that it includes Community citizens between the ages of 55 and 65? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (13 March 2000) The Commission is aware of the importance of cultural tourism as a source of potential job creation. However, there is no intention to issue a directive on this matter. The question of the age group benefiting from free entry to cultural attractions in Italy is a matter for the Member State itself, following the principle of subsidiarity. (2001/C 26 E/010) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2750/99 by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission (7 January 2000) Subject: Turtles, nature conservation and accession: Cyprus Is the Commission aware of the debate in Cyprus about the protection of the Akamas Peninsula, 1. which is an important nesting area for sea turtles? These turtle species include vulnerable and endangered species, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list. Has the Commission been informed about measures to protect Akamas which were approved by the Cypriot Parliament in 1998, but have not yet been accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers? Is the Commission also aware of the fact that hotel development in the area has meanwhile continued? 2. In view of the upcoming accession of Cyprus, has the Commission entered into discussions regarding the suitability of the Akamas Peninsula, and particularly that the Asprokremmos, Lara and Toxeftra beaches be included in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites, established under the Habitats and Birds Directives (resp. 92/43 (1) of 21 May 1992 and 79/409 (2) of 2 April 1979)? 26. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 26 E/9 3. Will the Commission advise the Cypriot authorities to designate these areas, should the Cypriot authorities omit to propose their inclusion in the Natura 2000 network? Has Cyprus received funds from other Community programmes? If so, under what 4. funding programmes have these funds been provided, and what steps have been taken to integrate environmental aspects into the activities funded, as required by the Treaty? Can the Commission guarantee that no Community funds are being allocated to projects that may 5. result in further damage to the situation in the above mentioned areas? 6. What instruments will the Commission use in order to protect the loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelinia mydas) in the above mentioned areas? (1) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. (2) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behal of the Commission (27 January 2000) The Commission has followed with interest the issue of the Akamas Peninsula in Cyprus as an 1. important nesting ground for two rare species of sea turtle. The Cypriot authorities have informed the Commission that there is legislation in Cyprus affording environmental protection to the Akamas Peninsula, and that there has not been recent hotel development in the protected area. The Commission is not aware of new measures awaiting approval by the Cabinet of Ministers. As part of 2. and 3. the preparations for accession, and as recalled in the negotiations on the environment chapter, the Commission is awaiting the proposed list of sites to be designated as special areas of conservation (SAC) for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network as foreseen by Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive). An ongoing project under the LIFE programme is assisting the Cypriot authorities in this task. The Commission, fully aware of the sensitivity of the Akamas Peninsula, will examine these proposals in accordance with the relevant criteria of the Directive. 4. and 5. In the early 1990s the Commission funded a turtle conservation project under the Medspa programme. There have been a number of other Community-supported projects in Cyprus with an environmental content, e. g. in the areas of controlling industrial pollution, and sewerage. The Commission does not finance projects that to the best of its knowledge run contrary to the environmental acquis. The candidate countries have also been reminded of the Council conclusions of 24 September 1998 on accession strategies for the environment, in which it was stated that all new investment should comply with the environmental acquis. Once Cyprus becomes a Member State, the relevant legal instrument will be the Habitats Directive, as 6. both species of turtle appear in its annexes. In the meantime the Commission will monitor Cyprusí commitment to the progressive introduction and implementation of the acquis, and the strengthening of the relevant administrative structures. This will be achieved through the various instruments of the pre- accession strategy. (2001/C 26 E/011) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2756/99 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Regulation of the poultry sector The problems which have affected the poultry sector in some regions of the Union over the past year have brought about a change in the publicís pattern of consumption, and the resulting surplus supply has