WRITTEN QUESTION E-1403/01

by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 May 2001)

Subject: Research project on avoiding damage to fish in hydroelectric power stations

For many fish species hydroelectric power stations represent an often fatal obstacle on their natural migratory paths. For migratory fish such as the European eel this poses a threat to their continued existence.

In 1996 the first stage of a research project on this subject was commissioned by the Bavarian Agriculture Ministry. In the second stage, testing is now due to begin of the proposed technical methods of avoiding harm to fish at hydroelectric power stations. Extensive funding is needed for this. Talks with possible cooperation partners in Austria and the Netherlands on implementing the research project jointly are now under way.

1. Are there possible sources of funding for such research projects within the EU institutions (e.g. LIFE)?

2. Under what conditions would possible funding be granted?

3. What level of funding would be possible?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2001)

The Fifth Research and Technological Development framework programme (1998-2002) allows for the funding of research projects on the impact of hydroelectric plants on the migration of species such as the eel, in particular under key action 5.1.2 - Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture - interactions between environment, fisheries and aquaculture - of the Specific Programme on Quality of Life, provided that a highly innovative scientific content is included in this type of research and there is a European High-level Partnership (with a minimum of two countries and three scientific partnerships). The closing date for the next call for proposal for research actions in this field (interaction resources/environment) is 18 October 2001.

A research project on this subject was accepted at the end of 2000, and is due to be completed by 2002. It concerns project OLRT 1999-31141 Management of silver eel: human impact on downstream migration silver eel in the river Meuse coordinated by Kema Power Generation & Sustainables in the Netherlands. One of the expectations of this project is to develop a turbine management system that provides effective protection of eels when crossing through plants.

In the key action Global change, climate and biodiversity, proposals are solicited for a deadline of 15 October 2001 for area 2.3.2 Reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with potentially conflicting human activities. The call for proposals

seeks work that would formulate and evaluate the scientific, economic, technical and policy feasibility of conservation options for biodiversity. The work described in the question might be adapted to fall into the scope of this call, bearing in mind that the main evaluation criterion is scientific excellence.

Details on the work programme for these different Specific Programmes and on funding conditions are available on the Cordis website at the following address: http://www.cordis.lu/eesd/.

The financial instrument for the environment (LIFE) is not applicable because this is not an instrument for the support of projects mainly dedicated to research. Further details (scope, financial issues, etc.) are on the LIFE homepage of the Commission/Directorate general Environment: http:/europa.eu.int/comm/life/home.htm.