WRITTEN QUESTION E-0629/98 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Financial support for an information campaign to publicize Natura 2000

The Commission is cognizant of the fact that certain socio-professional groups (farmers, industrialists, hunters, etc.) throughout the European Union have voiced strong reservations about the installation of the Natura 2000 network, principally in view of the lack of transparency and information as to the network's purpose.

Has the Commission already earmarked specific financial support for specific action on a Community-wide basis to provide information to the public, local authorities and NGOs, and if not, does it intend to do so, and in what form and on what scale?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1998)

The Commission co-funded in 1997 several projects in order to raise the awareness of environmental issues in the Member States under the budget-line B4-3060. Among these are two which deal with Natura 2000.

The European union for coastal conservation has been supported to develop a project dealing with dissemination of good practice experiences on integration of nature conservation and local economic development in the coastal zone especially related to Natura 2000, and enhancement of public and political support for the implementation of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )), the so-called Habitats Directive, and for the development of Natura 2000.

The World wild fund (WWF) - Italy has been supported to develop a project to raise awareness and knowledge of the general public on the Habitats Directive, in order to help the establishment of Natura 2000. The project includes a general public information campaign at European level including television spots, workshops and pilot projects. The Commission published on 24 January 1998 under budget-line B4-3060 two calls for proposals ((OJ C 25, 24.1.1998. )), under which actions for the awareness raising for Natura 2000 could be co-funded.

According to Council Decision 97/872/EC of 16 December 1997 on a Community action programme promoting non-governmental organizations primarily active in the field of environmental protection ((OJ L 354, 30.12.1997. )), the Commission has invited European non-governmental organizations whose activities cover all or some of the Member States and countries neighbouring the Community to present proposals with a view to obtaining a financial contribution. This contribution would be towards costs inherent in carrying out the activities provided for in their annual work programme. Financial assistance under this call for proposals may be provided for activities which are of Community interest, contribute significantly to the further development and implementation of Community environmental policy and legislation and meet the principles underlying the fifth environmental action programme.

A call for the submission of proposals for general measures to inform and increase awareness of the environment refers to the first indent of Article B4-306 of the comments on the 1998 budget. The principal objective is to improve information available to the general public and to raise its awareness level in relation to environmental protection. It is also intended to create partnerships at a European level and to promote an efficient ecological approach to economic activities.