WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1719/98 by María SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ to the Commission. Financial aid to alleviate the effects of the Doñana disaster
Date: 1998-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, SORNOSA MARTINEZ
Subjects: Spain, data collection, environmental protection, financial aid, natural disaster, protection of animal life, toxic substance, water pollution













EUR-Lex - 91998E1719 - EN






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91998E1719

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1719/98 by María SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ to the Commission. Financial aid to alleviate the effects of the Doñana disaster  


Official Journal C 013 , 18/01/1999 P. 0069 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1719/98by María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(29 May 1998)Subject: Financial aid to alleviate the effects of the Doñana disasterIn view of the dreadful consequences of the Doñana disaster in both the surrounding area and the park itself, only speedy, coordinated action backed up by heavy financial investment can mitigate the catastrophic effects which have already been produced and which will continue to be produced in the short, medium and long term.While responsibilities are being clarified and initial emergency measures taken, both public administrations and those directly responsible must provide the means necessary to minimize the disaster. The Commission, by virtue of two of its directives, on protection for birds and for natural habitats, must guarantee and ensure the conservation of Doñana park and thus help to alleviate the consequences of the ecological disaster which has occurred.1. Has the Commission gathered all the information necessary to take up a clear position on this disaster?2. Will the Commission, as guarantor of environmental protection, provide financial aid to alleviate the disastrous consequences of the bursting of the Aznalcóllar dam?3. What criterion will the Commission follow in granting financial aid?4. Might such aid be immediate?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission(13 July 1998)The Commission has kept in close touch with the Spanish authorities since news of the disaster emerged. During an information meeting held in Brussels on 12 May 1998, the Director general of nature conservation and the President of Spain's national centre for scientific research informed the Commission of the steps taken to limit and repair the damage caused by the accident. Supplementary information has since been sent to the Commission concerning the measures applied to treat the contaminated waters and collect the toxic material. The process of collecting information is continuing and contacts with the Spanish authorities have been organised to this end.The zone in the proximity of the Donana park which was struck by the disaster is eligible for the intervention of the European regional development fund (ERDF) under objective 1. The Commission recently invited the Spanish authorities to reflect on the possibility of modifying the interventions currently co-financed under the ERDF with a view to redirecting any funds released to counter the negative effects of the accident in the zone affected. The Commission has also proposed the co-financing of a technical assistance project aimed at deepening the analysis of the effects of the accident in order to guide Community action in the medium to long term.