WRITTEN QUESTION E-2470/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE), Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE), Pier Casini (PPE-DE), Generoso Andria (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE), Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Giuseppe Gargani (PPE-DE) and Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Outbreak of fires in central and southern Italy

What will the Commission do to tackle the serious emergency caused by the fires raging across central and southern Italy, destroying vast areas of Mediterranean scrubland and threatening many homes?

What measures will the Commission take to protect forestry that is at risk, particularly in the Mediterranean regions?

Does the Commission intend to promote the setting up of a European civil protection service, as proposed at the Feira Council?

What decisive action will the EU take to prevent the outbreak of fires damaging the tourist season?

How will it pursue the measures provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) 2158/92, notably with a view to strengthening the cohesion of the forestry measures funded in areas at risk from fires, stepping up measures to tackle the causes of fires, and improving prevention and surveillance mechanisms?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 2000)

On 17 July 2000 the Commission under Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community's forests against fire(1) approved a programme of 3 680 000 (Community contribution 1 670 000) on protection of forests against fire presented by the Italian Government for the year 2000. This covers surveillance, including as it does provision of four-wheel drive vehicles for initial intervention and of radio equipment, creation of tracks, firebreaks and water supply points, personnel training, research on the causes of fires and public information campaigns. One third of the Community support is assigned to the Regions of Tuscany, Abruzzi, Molise, Campania, Apulia and Basilicata.

Firefighting, and more generally action in emergency situations, remains the responsibility of Member States. The Commission has however just launched the pilot phase of a project on short-term fire risk forecasting. The project involves participation by the operational centres of all the southern Member States and is based on satellite observation. It will help optimise mutual assistance between Member States through more efficient planning.

Under Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 the Commission has for the year 2000 approved six forest fire protection programmes in high risk Community areas. Total expenditure on these will be 18 000 000, the Community contributing 8 7 000 000. Since 1992 more than 224 000 000 (Community contribution 104 000 000) has been invested in protecting regions at risk in the Community.

At the Santa Maria da Feira European Council on 19 and 20 June 2000 it was agreed that in the field of civil protection improvement of the specific coordination mechanisms already existing was both needed an dpossible. The Commission had already decided on 30 May to send the Council a proposal for increasing Community resources in this field.

Further information on the Community's civil protection activities can be found at:

http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/civil/

Action under national forest protection programmes covers all risk zones in the Member States concerned, including forests located in tourist areas, hence indirectly helps protect installations and infrastructure in these areas. But if the Italian Government so wishes the Commission is quite prepared depending on available funds to reinforce under forthcoming annual programmes action in zones that are particularly sensitive as regards tourism.

Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 expires at the end of 2001 and the Commission is preparing proposals for the continuation of protective action against forest fires.

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.