WRITTEN QUESTION P-0763/99

by Petrus Cornelissen (PPE) to the Commission

(11 March 1999)

Subject: Avalanche disasters in the Alps

1. Does the Commission propose to contribute to the debate on possible measures to limit as far as possible the likelihood of avalanche disasters in the Alps, and the consequences of such disasters when they do occur?

2. If so, will the Commission give particular consideration to:

(a) careful planning of ski slopes and of the location of accommodation;

(b) further development of warning systems making use of new high-technology equipment in combination with advanced weather forecasting systems(1)?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 1999)

The Commission supports numerous activities to prevent disasters such as those caused by the avalanches in recent weeks.

As far as prevention is concerned, the Community is able to assist mountain regions through the programmes for the afforestation of agricultural land implemented under Council Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 of 30 June 1992. The programmes co-financed by the Structural Funds under Objective 5b may also include forestry measures. The section of Agenda 2000 on rural development will also increase the scope for aid for afforestation and forestry improvement. Payments for measures to preserve and improve the ecological stability of forests in areas where they play a protective and ecological role which is in the public interest may also be co-funded by the Community.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is also able to co-finance mapping studies in endangered mountainous areas in the framework of trans-national cooperation programmes.

Under the Community civil protection action programme, the Commission is prepared to consider, subject to the limits of its funding and coordinating ability, any Community proposal which would improve prevention or the ability of the authorities concerned to provide assistance in the event of disasters.

In the field of research, the "Environment and climate" programme is funding various projects which are helping to improve knowledge about this sector. The SAME project (Avalanche mapping, model validation and warning system) has enabled 14 laboratories in seven countries to cooperate in fields such as: the comparison and testing of avalanche models at five different locations; the development of technical specifications for avalanche detection and warning systems, guidelines for experiments coordinated at the Community level. All of these results will very soon be disseminated to a broad audience. In addition, a concerted action which is in progress (CALAR - Concerted action on forecasting, prevention and reduction of landslide and avalanche risks) is intended to improve coordination and the exchange of experience and know-how between scientists and authorities in the countries concerned. Lastly, the "Provost" project (Prediction of climate variations on seasonal timescales) is aimed at improving seasonal and interannual forecasts over a six month period.

It is also useful to draw attention to the important work carried out by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts which, in close cooperation with the national meteorological services, is increasingly improving weather-forecasting capability.

(1) With reference, for example, to the current EU research programme on environment and climate research.