WRITTEN QUESTION E-1278/02

by Toine Manders (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 May 2002)

Subject: Evaluation of implementation of directives on wild birds and habitats

According to MKB-Nederland (which represents the interests of SMEs in the Netherlands) and sectoral business associations, the survival of at least a thousand recreation businesses in rural areas in the Netherlands is directly threatened. Nearly 10 000 jobs are at risk as a result. The main culprits are stringent planning measures and the Netherlands Government's policy on nature, which are making it impractical to pursue recreational businesses.

Particularly in areas covered by the directives on wild birds and habitats, additional obstacles are being placed in the way of recreation, or it is even being made completely impossible. Over the years, various rules and regulations have been tacked onto these directives, with the result that the effect originally intended is being overshadowed by unintended and undesirable obstacles to existing recreational activities and tourism.

Consequently, current trends in land management and nature policy in the Netherlands are incompatible with European initiatives and guidelines in the field of tourism, recreation, social cohesion and revitalisation of rural areas, such as the subsidy programme for rural areas under Objective 2 and the central economic role which the Commission assigns to tourism cf. COM(2001) 665 final.

1. Is the Commission aware of this situation?

2. Will the Commission evaluate the implementation of the directives on wild birds and habitats in the Netherlands to identify any undesirable and unintended side-effects, so that the recreation industry can continue to develop in harmony with nature?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2002)

The Commission is aware that several economic sectors have made it known that they expect the designation of Natura 2000 areas to have an impact on their activities.

The management in and around sites in the Natura 2000 network is not prescribed in detail by the nature protection Council Directives 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(1) (Birds Directive) and 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(2) (Habitats Directive). It is for the Member States to decide on the most appropriate measures for the management of these areas, while ensuring that they maintain their nature conservation values.

Natura 2000 should allow sustainable use of natural resources to go hand in hand with the conservation of nature. Any presumption of a complete ban on tourism in designated areas cannot be justified on the basis of Community Directives. Compatibility of conservation objectives with other activities, which may affect Natura 2000 areas, should be assessed on a case by case basis.

Member States have the right to impose more stringent environmental framework conditions and conservation measures than what is requested by Community Directives, as may be the case when incorporating existing nature reserves in Natura 2000.

The Commission does not believe, with respect for the principle of subsidiarity, that it would be appropriate to call for the evaluation suggested by the Honourable Member, since it has no competence to limit the power of Member States to decide about management measures for Natura 2000.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.