WRITTEN QUESTION E-2549/01

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2001)

Subject: Community solidarity in restoring the Sierra de Mijas

Ten groups with various backgrounds and interests have decided to set up a campaign named Mijas por sus sierras y su entorno with the chief aim of restoring the areas destroyed by fire in July 2001.

The campaign group is making nine specific demands and its proposals for the restoration of the Sierra are being studied by Mijas council technicians and the regional government of Andalucia.

Given the scale of the ecological disaster which hit the area as a result of the forest fire and the much-needed solidarity called for by people living in the area, can the Commission say to what extent it might help to meet the expenses entailed by such solidarity, making a contribution towards the speedy restoration of what was once beautiful woodland and has now been reduced to a picture of desolation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2001)

The Commission too is highly concerned at the forest fires that devastated southern regions of the Union, in Spain in particular, this summer. It is well aware of the problem, especially where it affects sensitive areas of great environmental importance, which must be protected if the forest ecosystems of the Mediterranean are to be preserved.

On 3 May 2001 the Commission accordingly approved a programme costing a total of EUR 3,4 million, with a Community contribution of EUR 1,7 million, to protect forests from fire in Spain in 2001 under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 on protection of the Community's forests against fire(1). The programme provides in particular for the implementation of awareness and surveillance measures, the building of tracks, firebreaks and water supply points, and the execution of other forestry operations to prevent fires.

Under the sixth indent of Article 30(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations(2), assistance for reinstating natural areas destroyed by fire can be granted from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) to help restore forest production potential.

Such assistance, however, can be granted only where the rural development programme is appropriately designed and on condition that EAGGF funds allocated for regional development in Objective 1 regions under the Community support framework (CSF) for 2000-2006 are sufficient to provide a significant contribution towards work to repair the damage caused by the disaster.

Just because regional programming is multiannual does not mean it has to be static; on the contrary, it must adapt to the actual situation so the final objectives of rural and overall development of the region are achieved.

In this connection, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) too can provide assistance for measures to protect and restore the natural environment in Andalusia under the environment, natural surroundings and water resources priority of the Andalusia integrated operational programme for 2000-2006.

In addition, the programme complement for that operational programme provides EUR 1,76 million for forestry under that priority; of that amount, EUR 1,23 million (70 % of total) is to come from the EAGGF.

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, it is for the Member State to choose the actual projects for part-financing, primarily on the basis of the selection criteria laid down for the programming period and in line with its own priorities.

It is therefore for the regional authorities responsible for managing and renewing the programme to consider providing such assistance, where they deem it necessary.

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.

(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.