WRITTEN QUESTION E-1287/00

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(19 April 2000)

Subject: Serious desertification problems in Valencia (Spain)

A conference on desertification was recently held in Valencia (Spain), under the auspices of the European Society for Soil Conservation (ESSC). The conclusions reached by the more than 400 scientific experts who participated in the event include the statement that Spain is the country with the highest soil loss risk in all of Europe (60 % of Spain's territory is affected by desertification). In the case of the Valencia region, 40 % of its territory is affected, and 5-7 % of the soil concerned is already lost beyond recall.

In a statement by Commissioner Fischler (see reply to question E-1563/95(1)), the Commission said: The key to effective combating of desertification lies in sensible use of land compatible with environmental requirements and rational and cautious use of water resources. A similar intention appears to underlie the preparatory work for the future framework directive on water.

At present, however, the following phenomena are occurring in the Valencia region:

- a number of agricultural and planning practices are being followed which are seriously affecting the groundwater levels in areas such as Les Marínes, Marjal de Almenara, Marjal de Peñíscola and Marjal de Pego-Oliva;

- diversion projects are under consideration, e.g. for Xucar-Vinalopó, which will affect the Albufera lake (a protected area under LIFE);

- water pollution from nitrates is increasing thanks to inadequate soil conversion;

- a theme park (Terra Mítica) is under construction, the demand for water from which is expected to have the effect by 2002 of doubling the water deficit of a highly drought-prone region;

- a number of golf courses (Peñíscola, Benidorm and Finestrat, Manises) have been created or are projected, with no regard for planning or forecasting in relation to water resources, etc.

Does the Commission not consider all of the above practices to be in contradiction, not only with the anti-desertification convention signed by Spain, but also with the principles underlying the receipt and management of ERDF, EAGGF and Cohesion Fund monies by the Spanish government and the Valencian regional government, concerning sustainable soil use?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to urge the Spanish government and the Valencian regional government to undertake effective and concrete action to combat the severe problem of desertification, which is particularly affecting the Valencia region and which is the specific object of the above-mentioned Community funding?

(1) OJ C 311, 22.11.1995, p. 4.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 2000)

The Commission confirms that present Community water legislation does not guarantee the sustainable management of all waters. This is why it presented a proposal for a water framework Directive(1) to Parliament and Council, in response to initiatives taken by Parliament's environment committee inter alia. The Council adopted a common position in October 1999(2). Parliament delivered its opinion (second reading) in February 2000(3). The conciliation procedure seems to indicate final adoption in mid-2000.

The water framework Directive provides for water management based on river basins and sets ambitious environmental objectives to ensure surface water and groundwater protection, which include preventing deterioration of groundwater status, restoring bodies of groundwater, and ensuring a balance between abstraction and recharge of groundwater (Article 4(1)(b)). It obliges Member States to introduce legally binding measures river basin management plans to achieve these objectives. Such measures include controls over the abstraction of fresh surface water and groundwater, and impoundment of fresh surface water, including a register or registers of abstraction and impoundment. Only water abstractions with insignificant impact may be exempted from these obligations (Article 11(3)(d)).

Once the Directive has been adopted the Commission will ensure that it is properly transposed and implemented, using both the instruments provided for in the EC Treaty including Article 226 (ex Article 169) and by information of and consultation with all interested parties. Furthermore, the Directive obliges Member States to inform interested parties and the general public when establishing their river basin management plans thus ensuring openness and transparency.

It should also be noted that the new rural development policy adopted by the Council in June 1999 has become the second cornerstone of the common agricultural policy. The support given to sustainable rural development, relating to agricultural activities and their reconversion, may concern, inter alia, the preservation and promotion of a high nature value and a sustainable agriculture respecting environmental requirements. The new policy also focuses on the sustainable development of forests, the preservation and improvement of forest resources and the extension of wooded areas. Investments with environmental protection objectives may also be cofinanced. All these measures may help combat desertification in the areas mentioned by the Honourable Member. It is for each Member State to present its rural development programmes, with due regard for the principle of subsidiarity.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(4), provides that the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that the requirements of environmental protection are incorporated into the definition and implementation of the operations of the Funds. The Cohesion Fund gives financial support to projects concerning the environment and transeuropean transport infrastructure networks which help achieve objectives set by the EC Treaty.

It should also be noted that Spain is party to the United Nations Convention to combat desertification, as are Portugal, Italy and Greece (Annex IV Northern Mediterranean). These Member States have either drawn up

or are in the process of drawing up national and regional action programmes to combat desertification and have held a series of meetings which the Commission has attended. National and regional action programmes form the basis for implementation of the Convention. As a party to the Convention, the Community has a particular interest in ensuring that it is effectively implemented in the Northern Mediterranean.

(1) Commission proposals: OJ C 184, 17.6.1997; OJ C 16, 20.1.1998 and OJ C 108, 7.4.1998.

(2) Council Common Position (EC) No 41/1999 of 22.10.1999; OJ C 343, 30.11.1999.

(3) Not yet published in the Official Journal.

(4) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.