WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3218/96 by Doeke EISMA to the Commission. Mining and logging in Venezuela
Date: 1996-11-22
Institutions: EISMA, European Parliament
Subjects: EP resolution, EU financing, European Commission, Venezuela, action programme, environmental impact, environmental protection, forestry holding, impact study, mining operation













EUR-Lex - 91996E3218 - EN






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91996E3218

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3218/96 by Doeke EISMA to the Commission. Mining and logging in Venezuela  


Official Journal C 091 , 20/03/1997 P. 0075 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3218/96 by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission (22 November 1996)Subject: Mining and logging in VenezuelaFurther to the Commission's participation in the debate on mining and logging in Venezuela on 24 October 1996:1. Is the Commission aware of the current situation as regards the Venezuelan Government's intention of repealing the two laws (269 and 2552) which prohibit mining and logging in Amazonas State? What was the outcome of the meeting in Venezuela on 24 October 1996 on this subject?2. How has the Commission taken account of the European Parliament's resolution of 24 October 1996 on Venezuela? What specific steps has the Commission taken against the Venezuelan Government's plan to permit mining and logging in Amazonas State?3. What will the consequences be for the Commission's ECU 6.4 million environmental project in the Upper Orinoco-Casiquaire region if the Venezuelan Government does indeed permit mining and logging in Amazonas State? What position would the Commission adopt in response to such a move?4. Has the Commission already received and approved an overall annual plan for the project in the Upper Orinoco-Casiquaire region? Has the Commission already provided funds to the Venezuelan Government for this project? If so, how much?Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1996)1. - 2. According to the information passed on from Caracas, the proposal to repeal the two laws (269 and 2552) which prohibit mining and logging in Amazonas State was drawn up by its Government. At the joint ministerial meeting on 24 October 1996, the Venezuelan Government refused to grant such a waiver.3. Extending 88 000 square kilometres, the Upper Orinoco-Casiquiare biosphere reserve covers the south-eastern half of Amazonas State. Seeing that through the financing agreement relative to the environmental project, the Venezuelan Government undertook to preserve the state of conservation of the area, the revocation of laws 269 and 2552 would not automatically mean that mining and logging would be carried out in the project area. Therefore, one would have to study the actual impact of such a measure on the project. Should the provisions of the financing agreement regarding conservation not be respected by the Venezuelan parties, the Commission could take measures as severe as suspending or terminating the project.4. The Commission-financed project in the Upper Orinoco-Casiquiare region is currently in its start-up stage. On 18 March 1996, the Commission approved a start-up plan proffered by the project's co-directors. An initial instalment of ECU 280 000 has been paid.