WRITTEN QUESTION E-2638/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 September 2002)

Subject: Protection of forests against fires in Galicia (Spain)

The value of the forests of southern Europe and the risks to which they are exposed have led the European Community to take steps to protect them against fire.

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92(1) of 23 July 1992 on the protection of the Community's forests against fires established a ten-year Community scheme (1992-2001) for the protection of forests against fires. The purpose of this scheme was to reduce the number of forest fire outbreaks and the extent of the areas burned (especially in the southern parts of the Community) by combating the causes of fires and adopting fire prevention and forest surveillance measures. The financial allocation for the period 1997-2001 was EUR 49,4 million.

Could the Commission give details of the measures that the European Community has funded in connection with this Regulation in the Autonomous Community of Galicia?

Has the Spanish Government presented any other plans for the future implementation of measures to protect the forests of Galicia against fires?

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2002)

The Commission wishes to point out to the Honourable Member that Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community's forests against fire was last amended by Regulation (EC) No 805/2002 of the European Parliament and the Council(1), adopted on 15 April 2002. This extended the duration of the initial Regulation by one year and adjusted its financial allocation for the period 1997-2002 to EUR 59,9 million, in line with the amount entered in the budget for 2002.

During the period 1992-2002 Spain has received EUR 22,6 million, including EUR 15,8 million for national protection projects or programmes presented by the Member State most of which relate to the whole country and largely comprise information and awareness campaigns.

These initiatives therefore cover Galicia in the same way as the other regions of Spain.

The remaining EUR 6,8 million have been granted for projects or measures presented by regional recipients. Inter alia, under the 2002 programme the Community has supported a measure relating to a socio-economic study on forest fires in Galicia; the total cost of the measure is EUR 111 788 and the assistance granted is EUR 55 894.

It should also be borne in mind that measures covered by Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 may qualify for substantially more support under rural development programmes: the appropriations available under such programmes are significantly higher and the Community may contribute up to 80 % of measures' total cost with a mandatory contribution from the Member State, as against a maximum of 50 % without a mandatory Member State contribution under Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92.

Under the 1994-1999 programme the Commission part-financed public expenditure of EUR 54,4 million on protecting Galicia's forests against fire, enabling the creation of 20 447 hectares of firebreaks, 5 590 hectares of preventive works, 55 938 hectares of clearing and controlled fires, 7 877 kilometres of tracks and 2 311 water supply points.

Under the 2000-06 programmes, in the context of rural development Spain presented a set of forestry support measures for which the Community contribution is EUR 72,7 million.

Lastly, from 1 January 2003 onwards it will be possible to integrate forest protection measures previously covered by Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 into rural development programmes, provided that Member States notify programme changes.

(1) OJ L 132, 17.5.2002.