WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3009/97 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Ecological disaster on Lake Kerkinis
Date: 1997-10-01
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: Greece, biotope, bird, environmental protection, humid zone, lake, protected area, protected species, protection of animal life, wildlife

30. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134/57

(98/C 134/69)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3009/97

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 October 1997)

Subject: Ecological disaster on Lake Kerkinis

Lake Kerkinis is an important and protected biotope in northern Greece and the area is particularly rich in flora
and fauna, including a privately owned poplar plantation. In July 1994, the owner began felling the trees, despite
the fact that hundreds of herons were nesting there and that their young were unable as yet to fly. This resulted in
the death of over 200 birds and caused a public outcry in Greece. The relevant authorities did nothing to prevent
the felling and took no action against the owner of the plantation.

Is the Commission aware of this and is it prepared to call for explanations from the Greek Government with a
view to ensuring that biotopes are more effectively protected and offenders penalized?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1997)

Lake Kerkini, although artificial, is a very rich wetland which has been designated by the Greek authorities as a
special protection area (SPA) under Directive No 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (1). It has also
been proposed for protection under Directive No 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild
fauna and flora (2).

The  site  is  one  of  the  main  areas  where  actions  for  a  LIFE-Nature  project  ((cid:145)Conservation  of  phalacrocorax
pygmaeus and anser erythropus in Greece(cid:146)) are currently undertaken. Thus in mid-June 1997 the felling of a
plantation of poplars carrying nests of herons came to the attention of the beneficiaries of the project who alerted
immediately the Greek authorities. However, the plantation is located outside the SPA, in privately-owned land,
and therefore it is not subject to the protection regime applying to the SPAs. Notwithstanding, the Commission is
aware  that  the  ministry  of  Agriculture  issued  a  circular  according  to  which  the  felling  of  poplars  shall  be
prohibited during the breeding period (15 February to 30 July). For the future the relevant zone in the area of lake
Kerkini will be covered by this prohibition.

On the other hand the Commission has also been informed about other problems relating to the protection of lake
Kerkini and will investigate the matter in order to have a clear view of the situation and, if necessary, initiate
actions.

(1)  OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, as amended by Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden (OJ L 1, 1.1.1995).
(2)  OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(98/C 134/70)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3010/97

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 October 1997)

Subject: Substainable farming projects

Is the Commission aware of the (cid:145)Tir Cymen(cid:146) scheme in Wales which supports sustainable foarming? Does it plan
to support similar schemes?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 November 1997)

The  Tir  Cymen  programme  is  approved  and  cofinanced  by  the  Commission  under  Regulation  (EEC)
No 2078/92 (1), on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the
environment and the maintenance of the countryside.