WRITTEN QUESTION E-0392/98 by Elisabeth Schroedter (V) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Evaluation of the implementation of the Structural Funds in the Land of Brandenburg, with particular reference to the environmental impact thereof

Mrs Wulf-Mathies' reply to my written question to the Commission No P-3614/97 of 6 November 1997 ((OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 163.)) as to whether it was aware that, in the Land of Brandenburg, the environmental impact assessment in connection with the award of ERDF funds was conducted by the Land Investment Bank (ILB), as reported in the independent evaluation document, did not clarify the matter; would the Commission therefore answer the following supplementary questions:

1. Does the Commission consider that (a) the following statement in the interim evaluation report is inaccurate: 'with regard to environmental protection, the ILB ascertains, prior to the award of ERDF assistance, whether the project complies with existing planning proposals or programmes and fits in with current construction projects and whether, in the case of industrial sites, the plans ensure the prevention or greatest possible restriction of emissions and and that waste is disposed of in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements' (report by the Länder of 5 May 1997 on assistance under the ERDF, the ESF and EAGGF in the Land of Brandenburg, 1994-1999, p. 17), and (b) in fact, as stated by the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs, the environmental authorities' written approval is required before funds are allocated for smaller projects?

2. What significance does the Commission attach to the interim evaluation reports called for by the Structural Funds Regulation?

3. What methods does the Commission use to check whether the provisions concerning environmental impact evaluation contained in the Structural Funds Regulation No 2081/93 ((OJ L 103, 31.7.1993, p. 5.)) (in the third indent of Article 8(4) (on Objective1)) are actually implemented?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (27 March 1998)

1. Both the statement on page 17 of the Brandenburg mid-term evaluation and the account previously given by the Brandenburg Ministry of Economics of its grant procedures are correct. There is no contradiction between the two positions. European regional development fund (ERDF) support for individual projects is subject to discussion in the regional support committee (Landesförderausschuss) in which the ministry of Environment is represented. As the authorising agency the Land investment bank (ILB) ensures compliance with the conditions set by this committee. When environmental conditions are imposed, the input of the relevant environmental authorities is sought. Thus the role of the ILB is limited to checking formally that the relevant procedures have been observed and the conditions met. In this sense the ILB does indeed check 'whether the projects are compatible with existing spatial planning and building strategies', as stated in the evaluation report.

2. In the 'Common guide for monitoring and interim evaluation' the Commission identified the aims and requirements of intermediate evaluation, thus underlining the importance it attaches to this procedure. For the Commission, intermediate evaluation facilitates decision-making and effective programme management. Evaluations also enable the Commission to plan effectively future programmes and their cofinancing.

3. During the programming phase the regional partners must give written assurance that measures cofinanced by the ERDF will be compatible with Community environmental legislation. The subsidiarity and partnership principles mean that the regional partners are responsible for programme implementation and for checking that environmental legislation is observed. Further, annual reports must state what measures have been taken to ensure environmental protection. The latest available report for Brandenburg states that for all projects the opinion of the environmental protection department of the local administration is required. Compliance may also be verified and ensured by means of on-the-spot checks by the Commission.