A4-0137/95

Decision on the common position established by the Council with a view to adopting a Council Regulation on operations to promote tropical forests (C4-0034/95 - 00/0500(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the common position of the Council, C4-0034/95 - 00/0500(SYN),

- having regard to its opinion at first reading ((OJ C 315, 22.11.1993, p. 644.)) on the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(93)0053 ((OJ C 78, 19.3.1993, p. 8.)),

- having regard to the amended Commission proposal, COM(94)0153 ((OJ C 201, 23.7.1994, p. 15.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 189c of the EC Treaty,

- having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Development and Cooperation (A4-0137/95),

1. Amends the common position as follows;

2. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and Commission.

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3

>Original text>

Whereas the European Parliament has expressed, in many parliamentary resolutions, concern over the destruction of tropical forests and the consequences for forest peoples;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the European Parliament has expressed, in many parliamentary resolutions, concern over the destruction of (tropical) forests and the consequences for forest peoples and has called for regulation of the trade in and controls on imports into the European Community of hard timber and products which contain hard timber;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas the Community's operations to promote tropical forests form part of its objectives on the conservation of forests;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community's operations to promote tropical forests form part of its objectives on the conservation of forests, in whatever geographical area or climate zone they may be situated;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 7

>Original text>

Whereas the Community intends to expand its actions to promote the conservation of tropical forests in all appropriate ways, within the context of its environment policy and of its new development cooperation policy, laid down in Articles 130u to 130y of the Treaty;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community intends to expand its actions to promote the conservation of tropical forests in all appropriate ways, within the context, inter alia, of its environment policy and of its new development cooperation policy, laid down in Articles 130u to 130y of the Treaty and using the relevant instruments of development assistance and trade;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 10a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community will take measures designed to bring about a substantial increase in the supply of and demand for sustainably produced hard timber over the next few years, the aim being that in the year 2000 all the European Union's demand should be covered by this type of hard timber;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 10b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in view of the need for sustainably produced timber on the market to be identifiable, by means of a certificate, the EU will lay down legal and technical rules governing the import of and trade in certified timber;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 11a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas a substantial commitment of resources is required in order to have a significant impact on the protection of tropical forests;

(Amendments 7 and 38)

Recital 13

>Original text>

Whereas an amount of ECU 150 million is deemed necessary for the implementation of the actions covered by this Regulation for an initial three-year period (1995 to 1997);

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas an amount of ECU 250 million is proposed as a financial reference, illustrating the will of the legislative authority, for the implementation of the actions covered by this Regulation for an initial five-year period (1995 to 1999), in so far as this financial reference is consistent with the Financial Perspective ceilings in heading 4 for the current period;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 13a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is therefore necessary to set up a properly thought-out permanent framework in order to encourage these actions and to guarantee a cohesive policy;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 14

>Original text>

Whereas the Council will consider, before the end of 1997, the mechanisms for funding, from 1998 onwards, of operations to promote tropical forests, taking account of the outcome of the mid-term review of the Fourth ACP-EEC Convention and the projected review of the framework regulation concerning cooperation with developing countries in Asia and Latin America;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Council and the European Parliament will consider, every five years, the mechanisms for funding of operations to promote tropical forests, taking account of the outcome of mid-term reviews of the ACP-EEC Convention and the framework regulation concerning cooperation with developing countries in Asia and Latin America;

(Amendment 10)

Article 2(1)

>Original text>

1. 'Tropical forests' shall be defined as those natural and semi-natural tropical or subtropical forest ecosystems in both dry and humid areas. The areas concerned are those found within the tropics and subtropics delimited by the 30th northern and southern parallels.

>Text following EP vote>

1. 'Tropical forests' shall be defined as those natural tropical or subtropical ecosystems , whether in an undisturbed (primary) or a disturbed (secondary) state, which are characterized by a predominance of trees. The areas concerned are those found within the tropics and subtropics delimited by the 30th northern and southern parallels.

(Amendment 11)

Article 2(5)

>Original text>

'Forest peoples' shall be defined as indigenous population groups who inhabit the forest or claim it as their home and any people who live in or near the forest and have traditionally been directly and to a large extent dependent on the forest.

>Text following EP vote>

'Forest peoples' shall be defined as indigenous peoples who inhabit the forest or claim it as their home and any people who live in or near the forest and have traditionally been directly and to a large extent dependent on the forest.

(Amendment 12)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. Under this Regulation, the Community shall provide financial support or technical expertise for actions which support and encourage the efforts of developing countries and their regional organizations to conserve and sustainably manage their tropical forests, in the context of the sustainable development of those countries and regions.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Under this Regulation, the Community shall take any measures or initiatives within its power for the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests, including financial support or technical expertise, and to support and encourage the efforts of developing countries and their regional organizations to conserve their tropical forests, in the context of the sustainable development of those countries and regions.

(Amendment 13)

Article 3(3)

>Original text>

3. Special consideration shall be given to actions in support of the conservation of forests which are considered to be of importance for local effects such as the protection of watersheds, the prevention of soil erosion and the restoration of degraded areas, and for global effects, such as climate change and loss of biological diversity.

>Text following EP vote>

3. Special consideration shall be given to actions in support of the conservation of forests, as regards both quality and quantity, which are considered to be of importance for local effects such as the protection of watersheds and biospheres, the prevention of soil erosion and the restoration of degraded areas, and for global effects, such as climate change and loss of biological diversity.

(Amendment 14)

Article 4(1)(a)

>Original text>

(a) conservation of primary tropical forests and their biodiversity and regeneration of tropical forests which have been damaged, supported by analysis of the underlying causes of deforestation and taking into account differences between countries and regions and measures to address them;

>Text following EP vote>

(a) conservation of primary tropical forests and their biodiversity and regeneration of tropical forests which have been damaged, supported by analysis of the underlying causes of deforestation and taking into account differences between countries and regions and measures to address them with the aim of ensuring that at least 10% of ecologically representative primary tropical forest in each nation should be protected completely and some form of compensation paid to these nations for the protection of these areas;

(Amendment 15)

Article 4(1)(b)

>Original text>

(b) sustainable management of forests designated for the production of timber and other products, but excluding commercial logging operations in primary tropical forests, except those which are community based, small scale, sustainable, environmentally sound and implementing an appropriate forest management;

>Text following EP vote>

(b) sustainable management of forests designated for the production of timber and other products, but excluding commercial logging operations in primary tropical forests, except those which are community based, small scale, sustainable, environmentally sound and implementing sustainable forest management;

(Amendment 37)

Article 4(1)(c)

>Original text>

(c) the definition of certification systems for timber produced from tropical forests according to sustainable forest management principles as part of envisaged internationally harmonized certification systems for all kinds of timber and timber products;

>Text following EP vote>

(c) the development, establishment and, by 1997, introduction of an independent assessment system, or membership of an existing international independent assessment system which guarantees the reliability of procedures and the quality of the assessment criteria on which certificates which appear on the market are based for all kinds of timber and timber products and the establishment of a connected monitoring system guaranteeing the authenticity of the certificate during transport and marketing in the EU;

(Amendment 17)

Article 4(1)(d)

>Original text>

(d) participation by, and support from, forest peoples in the identification, planning and implementation of actions;

>Text following EP vote>

(d) provision of information in advance to forest peoples, followed by their participation in and support for the identification, planning and implementation of actions;

(Amendment 18)

Article 4(1)(h)

>Original text>

(h) development and implementation of forest management plans aimed at conserving tropical forests and promoting sustainable exploitation of timber and other forest products.

>Text following EP vote>

(h) development and implementation of forest management plans aimed at conserving tropical forests and promoting sustainable exploitation of timber and other forest products, mainly outside primary forests.

(Amendment 19)

Article 4(1)(ha) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

(ha) the establishment of a worldwide convention on conservation of forests.

(Amendment 20)

Article 4(2)

>Original text>

2. The Community shall require actions carried out under this Regulation to be preceded by reports on their ecological, social, economic and cultural impact, with specific qualitative or quantitative objectives. Where applicable, these actions shall be evaluated with the participation of local people.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The Community shall require actions carried out under this Regulation to be preceded by reports on their ecological, social, economic and cultural impact, with specific qualitative or quantitative objectives. Where applicable, these actions shall be evaluated with the participation of local people; where such actions have an impact on the traditional territories and ways of living of forest peoples, their informed consent is essential. The above shall also apply to evaluations of the actions carried out, for which purposes specific indicators shall be given in the reference conditions for the action in question which is to be supported. The indicators shall be both quantitative and qualitative.

(Amendment 22)

Article 4(5)

>Original text>

5. Wherever possible, operations shall be carried out within the framework of regional organizations and international programmes of cooperation in the context of a global policy on the conservation of forests.

>Text following EP vote>

5. Wherever possible, operations shall be carried out within the framework of regional organizations and international programmes of cooperation and a clear position shall be upheld during consultations and the formulation of a global policy on the conservation of forests.

(Amendment 23)

Article 4(5a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

5a. In the short term, the Commission shall issue a communication, following on from and providing an evaluation of its communication of 1989 on the conservation of tropical rainforests, setting out proposals for a policy which is consistent in a global context and containing specific proposals in respect of the objectives which have been laid down, with particular reference to the regulation and monitoring of imports specified in Article 4(1)(a) and (c).

(Amendment 24)

Article 4a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 4a

A new forest unit consisting of expert officials with a background in ecology or cultural anthropology shall coordinate policy on the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests within the Commission and systematically examine all projects which receive aid from the Community and which may pose a threat to the conservation of tropical forests to ascertain their impact on tropical forests and local populations living in or near them.

(Amendments 25 and 39)

Article 7(1)

>Original text>

1. Community funding of the actions referred to in Article 3 shall cover an initial three-year period (1995 to 1997). The total amount of Community funding deemed necessary for the implementation of these actions during this period shall be ECU 150 million.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Community funding of the actions referred to in Article 3 shall cover an initial five-year period (1995 to 1999). The financial reference, illustrating the will of the legislative authority, for Community funding for the implementation of these actions during this period shall be ECU 250 million. At least 60% of the funding shall be spent on projects which are actively conserving tropical forests and have the support of local people or are community-based sustainable forest management projects. After a thorough evaluation, the Council and the European Parliament shall consider what subsequent policy should be pursued in this regard with a view to ensuring continuity under the terms of this Regulation.

(Amendment 27)

Article 11(2)

>Original text>

2. The Commission shall be assisted, as appropriate, by the Committee set up under Article 15 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America or by the Committee set up under Article 21 of the Internal Agreement on the financing and administration of Community aid under the Fourth ACP-EEC Convention.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The Commission shall be assisted, as appropriate, by the Committee set up under Article 15 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America or by the Committee set up under Article 21 of the Internal Agreement on the financing and administration of Community aid under the current ACP-EEC Convention. For the purposes of decisions under this Regulation, both committees shall comprise enough experts in the specific field of conservation of tropical forests and the population groups.

>Text following EP vote>

In addition, the Commission shall appoint regional environmental experts to the principal delegations who can identify priorities, monitor the implementation of projects and programmes financed, and evaluate them.

>Text following EP vote>

Independent external experts should assist the Commission in project appraisal and evaluation of those projects of a smaller financial scale than those referred to in Article 10. These experts should have field experience in tropical forestry, ecology and indigenous peoples' issues. Sufficient resources should be set aside from the budget line for this purpose.

(Amendment 28)

Article 12, second paragraph

>Original text>

Regular evaluation reports will be submitted to the committees mentioned in Article 11.

>Text following EP vote>

Evaluation reports will be submitted to the committees mentioned in Article 11 and to the European Parliament at least once a year. These reports must contain information concerning both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the projects funded and an overview of all proposals submitted and the reasons for the selection made.

(Amendment 29)

Article 13

>Original text>

This Regulation shall be implemented under an approach coherent with the general principles laid down in Regulation No 443/92 and in the Fourth ACP-EEC Convention and under common criteria at all stages of the project cycle from identification to evaluation.

>Text following EP vote>

This Regulation shall be implemented under an approach coherent with the general principles laid down in Regulation No 443/92 and in the current ACP-EEC Convention and under common criteria at all stages of the project cycle from identification to evaluation; these criteria shall be designed to ensure exchange of expertise, the coordination of working methods and mutual cooperation at all stages.

(Amendment 30)

Article 13, second paragraph (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Clear guidelines should be published for organizations which intend to submit project proposals under this Regulation. These guidelines should specify the criteria employed in the selection and evaluation of projects, as is customary in international organizations such as the World Bank.

(Amendment 31)

Article 14, second paragraph

>Original text>

It will be applicable until 31 December 1997.

>Text following EP vote>

It will be applicable until 31 December 1999, after which the evaluation referred to in Article 7(1) shall determine whether it should be extended and revised.