WRITTEN QUESTION No. 748/96 by Magda AELVOET to the Commission. European support for Norwegian research into enriching certain coastal regions with phosphates
Date: 1996-03-26
Institutions: AELVOET, European Parliament
Subjects: North Sea, Norway, coastal region, ecological balance, ecosystem, financial aid, phosphate, research project, water pollution













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91996E0748

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 748/96 by Magda AELVOET to the Commission. European support for Norwegian research into enriching certain coastal regions with phosphates  


Official Journal C 322 , 28/10/1996 P. 0006 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0748/96 by Magda Aelvoet (V) to the Commission (26 March 1996)Subject: European support for Norwegian research into enriching certain coastal regions with phosphatesIt was decided at the North Sea Conference in 1987 that the volume of fertilizers discharged into the North Sea had to be reduced drastically in order to restore the biological balance of the North sea and to protect the variety of species. The drastic decrease in nutrients has in fact resulted in a slow but sure reduction in pollution.Nevertheless, the Commission has adopted a diametrically opposed position in that it is giving a Norwegian research project BF 80 million to enrich certain coastal regions with phosphates in order to increase fish production, because the Norwegians believe that this research could have a significant impact on world food supplies.1. Has an agreement been reached with North Sea ministers concerning this support? If so, what agreement?2. How does the Commission justify this support in the light of the efforts to achieve a biological balance in the North Sea?Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (22 May 1996)The project 'Comparative analysis of food webs based on flow networks: Effects of nutrient supply on structure and function of coastal plankton communities (COMWEB)' is funded in the context of the marine science and technology programme (Mast). The project comprises 7 partners from 5 European countries (Belgium, Germany, Spain, Finland and Norway) which receive a total funding of 1.85 MECU over three years. The 3 Norwegian partners receive together 23% of these funds. Under the EEE agreement, Norway participates in the fourth Framework programme and its implementing specific research programmes. The research project was evaluated and selected for funding according to the existing procedures and received a favourable opinion from the Mast programme committee. The Community funds up to 50 % of the cost of the project and the complementary sums are found from national resources.Comweb is an interdisciplinary strategic research project which focuses on the complex interactions in coastal ecosystems. Its main objective is to develop efficient analytical, numerical and experimental methods needed for decisions to be taken in the next decades whether enhancement of marine production is possible, feasible and acceptable from an environmental point of view. It is therefore a project that will lead to a better understanding of the role of nutrients in marine ecosystems. Most of the project work is carried out in laboratory experiments. The field experiment involves a very limited release of nutrients to coastal waters which is insignificant compared to the constant input through rivers and run-off. It is fully controlled by the national authorities and will be preceded by a risk assessment.