WRITTEN QUESTION E-0104/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Ensuring air safety in Natura 2000 sites

In Finland there has recently been a public debate about the effect on air safety of Natura 2000 sites near airfields. There are in Finland 120 such sites within a 15 - km radius of airfields. This may create a problem of birds crashing with aircraft on takeoff and landing. Although the objective of the European Union's Natura 2000 network is to protect natural diversity in the EU, this must not take place at the expense of aspects relating to the safety of EU citizens.

In the light of the above, what measures does the Commission propose to take to ensure that the Member States do not endanger air safety by including sites near airfields in the Natura 2000 programme?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 1998)

The Honourable Member, although referring to Finland, expresses a more general fear that the future Natura 2000 network will include sites that are situated near airfields and would therefore possibly pose a threat to air safety.

The objective of Natura 2000 is, as mentioned by the Honourable Member, to conserve biodiversity, particularly habitats and species of European conservation interest. Some components of this biodiversity, particularly the birds, are known to collide with aircraft, the results of which can be serious.

However the Commission is not aware of anything that would point to a worsening air safety situation resulting from sites being selected for the future Natura 2000 network. It is of course worth remembering that the Natura 2000 network will include not only sites for bird protection under Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(1), the so-called Birds Directive, but also sites designated under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(2), the so-called Habitats Directive, to conserve fauna as well as flora and habitat types.

Natura 2000 sites are selected and their boundaries defined using only biological criteria in accordance with the provisions of Annex III (Stage 1) of the Habitats Directive and the Santoña and Lappel Bank judgements of the Court of justice. It is quite clear that the presence of an airfield in the vicinity of site cannot as such be a reason for non-selection.

However, in recognition of the potential seriousness of bird collisions with aircraft the International Civil Aviation Organisation has for years been studying the appropriate avoidance measures through its Bird Strike Committee. Related recommended best practices have been elaborated as guidance for States that have the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of air navigation in their territory.

Moreover, although the Birds Directive establishes a general system of protection for all birds, it also provides a possibility to derogate from the protection provisions for certain reasons when there is no other satisfactory solution. The interest of air safety is one of these reasons specifically mentioned in the Directive.

Consequently, given that this is an issue of management of wildlife, the concerns of air safety and Natura 2000 sites may best be addressed within the framework of management plans for these sites.

The Commission does not intend to introduce legislative proposals in this field.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.