WRITTEN QUESTION E-1033/01

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2001)

Subject: Destruction of Maytenus sengalensis plants in the Artos del Ejido Site of Community Interest, Almería (Spain)

The Artos del Ejido area is located in Almería province (southern Spain) and it was declared a Site of Community Interest (SCI) on 26 January 2001 under the Habitats directive.

Despite the protection afforded by this directive, environmental associations, social organisations and political parties have condemned the actions of the El Ejido local authorities, who have been destroying the vegetation of the SCI since 19 January 2001. Fifty hectares (equivalent to 80 % of the SCI) have so far been destroyed.

The SCI hosts a most unusual ecosystem which is specially adapted to the semi-desert climate prevailing in the area and which is home to species protected under the Birds directive (e.g. the stone-curlew) and to valuable flora such as the Maytenus sengalensis, a plant which grows only in this protected area and in North Africa.

The local and regional authorities have so far done virtually nothing to prevent the ecosystem in question from being completely destroyed.

What action is the Commission intending to take in order to ensure that the Birds and Habitats directives are applied and that the environment, the flora and the fauna of the Artos del Ejido nature reserve are protected?

What action does it intend to take in order to restore the part of the SCI which has already been destroyed?

Can the Commission confirm whether or not the Andalusia Regional Government (the authority responsible) has received Community funds intended to protect the area concerned? If so, what EU programmes or funds are involved? Has the Commission determined whether or not the funds in question have been properly used? If they have not, will it seek financial compensation?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 May 2001)

The Commission was not aware of the situation described by the Honourable Member. However, it has checked that the area was proposed by Spain as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) - ES 6110014 Artos del Ejido - for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1). This area contains at least four of the habitat types listed in Annex I to the Directive, including two priority ones (*5220 - Arborescent matorrals with ziziphus and 6220* - Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals (Thero-Brachypodietea).

The species of bird mentioned by the complainant in the complaint attached to the written question - the stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) - is covered by Annex I to Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(2).

The Commission will therefore contact the Spanish authorities shortly to ask for information on the situation reported, in order to ensure that Directive 92/43/EEC is being correctly applied in this case.

It would be premature to take a decision on restoring the area before the Spanish authorities' reply has been received and examined by the Commission.

The Commission has asked the Spanish authorities whether the project in question received cofinancing under the Structural Funds and it will inform the Honourable Member of their reply.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.