WRITTEN QUESTION P-0109/03

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(20 January 2003)

Subject: European Solidarity Fund for natural disasters in Catania Province

Over the last few months a variety of natural disasters (an earthquake, the eruption of Mt Etna) have struck the province of Catania (Sicily). The resulting falls of volcanic ash have forced the lengthy closure of Catania airport and have adversely affected fruit and vegetable production.

The disasters have had a devastating effect on all production sectors and the situation is particularly serious in the case of agriculture and tourism.

A European Solidarity Fund for natural disasters has recently been set up. What action does the Commission intend to take (involving use of the above-mentioned fund) in order to assist a community which has been hit so hard and which in any case was already suffering from chronic socio-economic decline?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2003)

The Commission is deeply concerned about the serious repercussions that the eruption at Mount Etna is having on the living conditions, the natural environment and the economy in the Catania Province. It is also aware that the ongoing volcanic ash precipitation poses a health risk to many members of the local population.

The newly created European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF)(1) is a mechanism to provide financial assistance to eligible States in the event of a major disaster to help people, regions and countries concerned return to living conditions as normal as possible.

The Commission would, however, like to remind the Honourable Member that the EUSF was set up to provide assistance mainly in the event of major disasters and the eligibility criteria are rather specific. The fund can only be utilised to provide immediate financial assistance in accordance with the qualifying criteria outlined in the EUSF Regulation. Intervention can only take place to help finance making good public damage not covered by insurance. It cannot cover economic losses (e.g. of farmers or in the tourism sector).

Also, this Fund cannot be employed at the initiative of the Commission, an application for assistance to mobilise the fund must be made by the national government of the country.

The Commission received a formal request from the Italian authorities on 13 January 2003 to mobilise the Solidarity Fund.

The Commission is now in the process of examining this request on the basis of the information received and will respond as quickly as possible in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation.

The Commission is however prepared to examine any proposal from the Italian authorities regarding possible amendment of the Sicily region's operational programme for 2000-2006 with a view to concentrating resources on measures capable of responding in a targeted and efficient manner to the most serious problems.

Additional resources might also be available under the performance reserve. From 2004 onwards, this reserve will be allocated to the programme on condition that the mid-term evaluation turns out to be positive.

Moreover, specific aid may be provided under Community support for rural development to restore production capacity damaged by natural disasters and to introduce appropriate preventive instruments.

In the case of Sicily, this support part-financed by the Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) was provided for under the Sicilia regional operational programme for 2000-2006 under Objective 1 of the Community Structural Funds.

Under that programme, measure 4.15, action C) provides for possible assistance in the event of a natural disaster to support inter alia investment in infrastructure (other than on the agricultural holding) required for the active defence of production, and to support investment for recovering and restoring multi-annual crops, animals, buildings and infrastructure, machinery and equipment.

This measure could be implemented through public financing of around EUR 20 million, with the EAGGF contributing EUR 10,4 million.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund, OJ L 311, 14.11.2002.