WRITTEN QUESTION E-0210/00

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: The Erika disaster and the fisheries sector

The recent disaster involving the Erika oil tanker, flying a Maltese flag off the coast of Brittany, has brought in its wake enormous and, in many cases, irreparable damage to the environment in general and to the marine ecosystem and fisheries resources in particular.

One of the areas of the economy most severely affected, with major social repercussions, is the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Has the Commission evaluated the damage occasioned by the Erika disaster in the fisheries and aquaculture sector?

Can it provide information on any such evaluation?

Should this information not yet be available, will the Commission undertake to submit it to Parliament's Committee on Fisheries as soon as it is in possession of it?

Can the Commission state what economic measures it intends to adopt to ensure financial compensation for those affected in the fisheries and aquaculture sector?

Will extraordinary aid measures be adopted to alleviate the damage caused?

Can the Commission state what measures have been taken or will be taken with a view to effective action to prevent maritime accidents in the transport of dangerous goods, and, in particular, to combat the risks of oil slicks and to further research into means of containing them when they do occur?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2000)

The French authorities are in the process of assessing the damage particularly to fisheries and aquaculture caused by the accident involving the tanker Erika. As soon as the assessment findings are available, the Commission will pass them on to Parliament's fisheries committee.

Based on those findings and at France's request, the Commission will of course take the most appropriate steps possible under current legislation to make good the damage to the fisheries sector resulting from this oil disaster. Community part-financing will be available under the financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG) and could be included in France's forthcoming single programming document (SPD) for 2000-2006 under Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector(1). An FIFG budget of 225 million has been allocated to this programme, under which the Commission and the French authorities will shortly be deciding on specific measures. Current Community legislation covering fisheries and aquaculture does not provide for special aid measures, however.

Measures have also been taken (or are planned) with a view to dealing more effectively with accidents at sea. Immediately on being informed of the accident involving the Erika, the Commission mobilised the Community's marine pollution task force. In the days which followed, a liaison officer was placed at the French authorities' disposal in order to facilitate coordination with European pollution-control vessels. At the French authorities' request, specific data were then gathered on the availability of bird-cleaning equipment and floating barriers. As a result, 10 Member States and Norway provided France with over 26 km of floating barriers. Three experts from the Community task force were dispatched to the site to help evaluate the numerous offers of services and equipment made to France for cleaning and restoration. With a view to learning lessons for the future, in January the Commission coordinated a visit by specialist European observers. Throughout the operation, the Commission regularly drew up news bulletins based on documentation supplied by the French authorities and distributed these to the other Member States' authorities directly involved.

A Commission proposal for a Decision(2) will make it possible to cooperate more closely in the fight against accidental marine pollution. Its final adoption by Parliament and the Council will create the optimum conditions for managing crises such as that resulting from the shipwreck of the Erika. With specific regard to the Erika, adopting the Decision should provide scope for a financial contribution to help meet the cost of assessing and monitoring the oil slick's environmental impact.

As a result of the accident involving the Erika, the Commission has decided to produce a communication on tanker safety with a view to enhancing prevention. Legislative measures will be proposed with the aim of making vessel inspections in ports more effective, tightening controls on classification companies and increasing the use in Community waters of tankers which are more environment-friendly. The Commission hopes that the communication, which it plans to present to Parliament and the Council in April 2000, will provide the opportunity for this issue to be discussed in depth.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2) COM(1998) 769.