WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2449/98 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ to the Commission. Distance between residential areas and livestock farms
Date: 1998-07-30
Institutions: European Parliament, SIERRA GONZALEZ
Subjects: EC Directive, competence of the Member States, intensive livestock farming, pollution, urban area

C 182/8

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

(1999/C 182/009)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2448/98

by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Town-planning regulations and livestock farming in the Canaries

(30 July 1998)

The municipality of La Laguna (Tenerife, Canaries) currently accounts for a significant percentage of livestock
in the Canaries, especially cattle, with more than 240 farms, in addition to the land used for other livestock
farming and the cultivation of rain-fed fodder.

This important sector of production, which involves more than 5 500 cows, has expanded its potential due
among other things to the significant aid provided under the programme of options specific to the remote and
insular nature of the Canary Islands (Poseican), adopted by Council Decision of 26 June 1991 (91/314/EEC) (1).
Title III of the annex thereto (point 6,7 ) makes provision, ‘to promote the development of stock farming to
meet local market needs’, for ‘a system of aid for the purchase of breeding animals originating in the
Community.’

Nevertheless, in the municipality of La Laguna (island of Tenerife, Canaries), the governing group is transacting
a set of town-planning regulations (General Town Planning Scheme) which will, if they are adopted, lead in the
short and medium term to the disappearance of a large percentage of these livestock farms following the
conversion of farmland into building land.

This situation will lead to the paradox that, despite the aid received from the European Union, current livestock
numbers will fall as a result of local decisions.

Is the Commission aware of the above developments?

What is the Commission’s opinion of the fact that local authorities sometimes take decisions of this kind,
which may undermine decisions taken in favour of certain sectors of production?

Can the Commission draw attention to the need to preserve the various fields of development of productive
activities in order to ensure that the aid programmes envisaged under Poseican fulfil their purpose?

(1) OJ L 171, 29.6.1991, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1998)

The Commission was not aware of the issues raised by the Honourable Member. The tasks for which the
Commission is responsible under the Treaties do not provide the Commission with the type of information set
out in the question.

The Commission has no responsibility in the issue raised, which rests solely with the local, regional and
national authorities involved.

The Commission considers that it is not qualified to act in this matter.

(1999/C 182/010)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2449/98

by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Distance between residential areas and livestock farms

(30 July 1998)

The current expansion in intensive livestock farming, involving significant efforts to modernise and adapt to
Community legislation, has led to a situation in all Community countries where farm buildings are situated in
close proximity to residential areas.

Links between stock-farming and residential activities have therefore become the norm.