WRITTEN QUESTION E-0146/02

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(1 February 2002)

Subject: Establishment of a European Civil Protection Agency

In Europe, civil protection in relation to natural disasters comes under the responsibility of the Member States. In some of these countries the lack of provision and awareness in this area is quite alarming.

The Commission:

1. Does it not consider that it should set up a European Civil Protection Agency, to be responsible for risk detection and prevention and management of emergencies, including work carried out on a voluntary basis?

2. What measures does it intend to promote to harmonise the laws of EU member States in the field of civil protection?

3. Would it agree that appropriations should be entered in the budget along the same lines as the successful experience of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency with a view not only to repairing the damage caused by natural disasters, but above all to funding preventive action to eradicate or reduce wherever possible the causes of disasters?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2002)

Irrespective of the possibility of setting up a European Civil Protection Agency, the Commission wishes to draw the Honourable Member's attention to Council Decision 1999/847/EC of 9 December 1999 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection(1). The programme states, among other things, that action to prevent risks and damage and to provide information and prepare those responsible for and involved in civil protection in the Member States is important and increases the degree of preparedness for accidents.

With regard to the uniformity of Member States' legislation in this area, the Commission wishes to remind the honourable Member that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supports and supplements the national civil protection policies in order to make them more effective. The pooling of experience and mutual assistance will help to reduce losses of human life, physical and material damage, economic losses and environmental damage throughout the Community by making the aims of social cohesion and solidarity more tangible. However, the above programme excludes any measures aimed at the harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States or the way in which their national preparedness is organised.

Going beyond the implementation and development of the above Decision, the Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member that it has planned to give consideration to an integrated strategy on prevention, preparedness and response to natural and other hazards in its 2002 work programme.

During the 2000-2006 programming period, funding is available from the Structural Funds for action to prevent natural or technological disasters, under both regional programmes and trans-frontier and trans-national cooperation programmes. Some regional programmes include preventive measures for natural risks (strengthening of river embankments; equipment for centres to combat forest fires; erosion protection, etc.). There is also provision for preventive action as part of trans-frontier and trans-national cooperation, e.g. alerts relating to flooding and technological disasters; establishment of pluri-national centres to combat forest fires; cooperation relating to the safety of popular mountain areas, etc.

The Structural Funds can also finance some reconstruction work after natural or technological disasters (except of dwellings) as part of the regional programmes and in the normally eligible zones.

(1) OJ L 327, 21.12.1999.