WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3944/98 by Anita POLLACK Local Agenda 21
C 341/22 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 29. 11. 1999 The Commission plans to complete this preliminary work at the beginning of 1999 to enable it to present a proposal in the course of the year. (1) OJ L 226, 18. 8. 1997. (1999/C 341/034) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3944/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (4 January 1999) Subject: Local Agenda 21 What steps has the Commission taken to support exchange of information and experience about local Agenda 21 plans? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (1 March 1999) The Commission has actively supported the exchange of information and experience about local Agenda 21 over several years. Activities range from policy development to financial contributions for activities such as studies, projects, conferences and publications. The communication (1) ‘Sustainable urban development in the European Union: a framework for action’ reaffirms the Commission’s commitment in this area. Actions 19, 20 and 23 are of particular relevance, setting out future priorities in relation to the exchange of experience and Local Agenda 21 activities. Examples of past Commission activities in this field include the expert group on the urban environment and the sustainable cities project (it produced the sustainable cities report and the good practice guide, which highlight local Agenda 21 and provide practical examples); the European sustainable cities & towns campaign, set up to encourage and support local authorities in working towards sustainability by promoting development towards sustainability at the local level through local Agenda 21; European and regional conferences (including Aalborg 1994, Lisbon 1996, Turku and Sofia 1998, Seville and The Hague 1999); and a database on good practice in urban management and sustainability, focused on disseminating good practice about how cities and towns can be managed in more sustainable ways. (1) COM(98) 605. (1999/C 341/035) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3946/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (4 January 1999) Subject: Sustainable fishing Has the Commission undertaken any evaluation of its funding policies for fishing with a view to rewarding environmentally sensitive fishing, for example, to offer incentives for environmental resource management and nature conservation activities, and to penalise commercial over-exploitation of dwindling fish stocks? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1999) Under Structural Fund programmes, the Member States and the Commission share responsibility for evaluating the impact of Community financing, the rules on which are adopted by the Council, on the sectors and regions in question, including the fisheries sector. The Commission has also part-financed a number of scientific research projects covering the impact of aid on catch capacity and hence on resources. The projects in question are listed in the FAIR project catalogue (1) and include notably Nos 1454, 3541 and 3936