A4-0100/96

Proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (COM(95)0155 - C4-0221/95 - 95/0098(CNS)

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Citation 1a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the fifth action programme on the environment,

(Amendment 2)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas the action taken by the Community in this field since 1985 has made it possible progressively to develop cooperation between the Member States; whereas the resolutions adopted since 1987 constitute the basis for cooperation;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the scant action taken by the Community in this field since 1985 has not made it possible to develop effective cooperation between the Member States with the necessary urgency and determination; whereas the resolutions adopted since 1987 constitute the basis for cooperation;

whereas these resolutions are further developed by the present programme;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 2a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas many disasters can be prevented by a more understanding approach to the environment; whereas this also applies to natural disasters such as floods;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 4

>Original text>

Whereas the establishment of a Community action programme will help to develop cooperation in this field even more effectively; whereas such a programme should be based to a large extent on experience already gained in this field;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the establishment of a Community action programme will help to develop cooperation in this field more effectively; whereas such a programme should be based to a large extent on, and should further develop, experience already gained in this field;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 4a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the geography, landscape and social and economic characteristics of the Union's isolated and ultraperipheral regions affect and impede the bringing in of aid and means of action in cases of major risk;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas it is also important to undertake action targeted at the general public so as to help European citizens to protect themselves more effectively;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is also important to undertake practical action targeted at the general public so as to help European citizens to protect themselves more effectively and with greater solidarity in the event of any disaster or emergency and increase their shared responsibility as regards environmental protection and awareness of health hazards which could arise from specific disasters, such as the accidental release of toxic materials; whereas such action should support corresponding activities in the Member States;

(Amendment 27)

Recital 7

>Original text>

Whereas an advisory committee on civil protection will assist the Commission in managing the action programme; whereas the Commission may also refer any matter relating to civil protection to this committee;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas a committee on civil protection will manage the action programme in conjunction with the Commission;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 8

>Original text>

Whereas, in accordance with the principal of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supplements national policies in the field of civil protection and environmental emergencies in order to make them more effective; whereas pooling of experience and mutual assistance will help to reduce the loss of human life and economic and environmental damage throughout the Community;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in accordance with the principal of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supplements national policies in the field of civil protection and environmental emergencies in order to make them more effective; whereas pooling of experience and mutual assistance will help to reduce the loss of human life and economic and environmental damage throughout the Community, thus making more tangible the goals of social cohesion, solidarity and European citizenship;

(Amendment 8)

Article 1

>Original text>

A Community action programme in the field of civil protection, including environmental emergencies, is hereby established. The action making up the programme and the arrangements for granting Community financial support are set out in the Annex.

>Text following EP vote>

A Community action programme in the field of civil protection, including environmental emergencies, is hereby established. The action making up the programme and the arrangements for granting Community financial support are set out in the Annex. This action seeks, in particular, to enhance prevention, the ability of European citizens to protect themselves against risks and crisis situations at local level, and the coordination of regional and supra-regional potential when combating major disasters, and, above all, exchanges of experience at all levels.

(Amendment 28)

Article 2

>Original text>

The Commission shall implement the action programme. In so doing it may where necessary arrange additional ad hoc action not listed in the Annex. Such additional action shall be assessed in the light of the priorities set and the financial resources available.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission and the committee to be set up under Article 4 shall implement the action programme. To this end additional ad hoc action not listed in the Annex may where necessary be arranged. Such additional action shall be assessed in the light of the priorities set by the committee pursuant to Article 4 and the financial resources available. The action must fulfil the criteria defined in Article 3.

(Amendment 9)

Article 3(2) (-a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

-a ) detection and study of the immediate and deep-seated causes of disasters; publication of the study's conclusions;

(Amendment 10)

Article 3(2) (-aa) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

-a a) prevention, introducing the risks of disaster in environmental impact assessment and taking any preventive measures required, including cessation or closure of the activity or installation;

(Amendments 11 and 29)

Article 3(2)(a)

>Original text>

(a) contribution to increasing the degree of preparedness of those involved in civil protection in the Member States, in order to increase their ability to respond to an emergency;

>Text following EP vote>

(a) contribution to increasing the degree of preparedness of those primarily responsible for and most directly involved in civil protection in the Member States at all levels, particularly decision-makers at local and regional level and emergency services, in order to increase their ability to respond to an emergency;

(Amendment 12)

Article 3(2)(b)

>Original text>

(b) contribution to improving techniques and methods of response: pilot projects;

>Text following EP vote>

(b) contribution to improving means and methods of forecasting and techniques and procedures of response by means of demonstration and pilot projects;

(Amendment 13)

Article 3(2)(c)

>Original text>

(c) contribution to public information, education and awareness, so as to help citizens to protect themselves more effectively.

>Text following EP vote>

(c) contribution to public information, education and awareness, so as to help citizens to protect themselves more effectively and show a greater sense of shared responsibility.

(Amendment 14)

Article 3(3)

>Original text>

3. Each individual action shall be implemented in close cooperation with the national, regional or local authorities concerned.

>Text following EP vote>

3. Each individual action shall be implemented in close cooperation with the national, regional or local authorities concerned and with other specialist organizations or bodies in the field, and particularly with the Union's isolated and ultraperipheral regions. The Commission shall investigate, together with the Member States concerned, the possibility of presenting a scheme of specific measures for the Union's isolated and ultraperipheral regions in collaboration with third countries.

(Amendment 15)

Article 3(4)

>Original text>

4. Each action shall take account of the results of the Community and national research in the relevant fields.

>Text following EP vote>

4. Each action shall take account of the results of the Community and national research in the relevant fields, without overlooking the problems and specific nature of the Union's smaller islands, and of those techniques which best safeguard the environment.

(Amendment 16)

Article 4, second paragraph

>Original text>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Text following EP vote>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures of general application to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

(Amendment 17)

Article 4, fifth paragraph

>Original text>

The Commission may also refer any other matter relating to civil protection to the advisory committee on civil protection.

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 18)

Article 4a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 4a

The Commission may also refer to the committee on civil protection any other matter relating to civil protection, always respecting the procedure laid down in Article 4.

(Amendments 19 and 31)

Article 5

>Original text>

Every three years the Commission shall evaluate implementation of the action programme and shall inform the committee referred to in Article 4 accordingly.

>Text following EP vote>

Every two years the Commission shall evaluate implementation of the action programme and shall inform the European Parliament and the Council accordingly.

(Amendment 20)

ANNEX (A)(1), introduction

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(Amendment 21)

ANNEX (A)(2), heading and 1st paragraph

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(Amendment 22)

ANNEX (A)(3)

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(Amendment 23)

ANNEX (B)

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(Amendment 24)

ANNEX (C), 2nd paragraph

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(Amendment 25)

ANNEX (E)

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Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (COM(95)0155 - C4-0221/95 - 95/0098(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(95)0155 - 95/0098(CNS) ((OJ C 142, 8.6.1995, p. 19.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 225 of the EC Treaty (C4-0221/95),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0100/96),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.