WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3982/98 by Alan GILLIS Forestry
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, GILLIS
Subjects: air quality, degradation of the environment, fire protection, forest, forestry policy, pollution control measures, rural development, sustainable development

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/101

According to the NAP, Greece will reach the European activation target (at least 20 % of unemployed
benefiting from active measures) progressively by the year 2000. In discussions with the Commission, the
Greek government agreed to develop in the 1999 NAP a more comprehensive employment strategy and to
improve the preventive and activation approach in its labour market policies.

(1999/C 320/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3982/98

by Alan Gillis (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Forestry

In view of the reported deterioration of the forests of the European Union, what action other than monitoring
does the Commission propose to take to address the serious decline in forest health?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

Forest condition is the result of the interaction of a large number of factors, some of which are anthropogenic
whereas others are natural, biotic or abiotic. Some factors may be influenced by forest management practices
or prevention measures, while others are subject to actions in the field of air quality. Finally natural factors
such as climatic extremes like drought, unusually cold winters and hot summers are beyond human influence.

Sustainable forest management has to be implemented through national or regional programmes in
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. The Commission proposal on rural development policy in
the context of Agenda 2000 provides a good basis for support to the Member States in their efforts to promote
sustainable forest management.

Forest fires constitute a major threat to European forests. The Community is currently part-financing forest fire
prevention measures within the framework of rural development policy and through specific Community
action to protect forests against fires.

The protection of forests against atmospheric pollution can only be ensured by continuous efforts to improve
air quality. Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality assessment and management (1) provides a major
Community instrument in this respect. The first proposal for daughter legislation under this framework will set
limit values for sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen in air specifically to protect against direct effects on
vegetation and ecosystems. The proposed directives on large combustion plants (2), solvents and sulphur in
liquid fuel will also have a beneficial effect on air quality. The 5th environmental action programme includes
the goal that critical loads and levels for acidification would not be exceeded. Whilst this is not achievable over
the whole of the Community in the near future, much progress has already been made. The Commission is
now finalising a proposal to set national emission ceilings for certain pollutants with the aim of reducing
remaining excess levels by 50 % by 2010. The Community scheme on the protection of forests against
atmospheric pollution provides in addition to monitoring activities also for experiences in the field to improve
understanding of air pollution effects on forests and to devise methods for the restoration of damaged forests.

For a more extensive information the Honourable Member may refer to the Commission’s communication of
18 November 1998 on a forestry strategy for the European Union (3).

(1) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.
(2) OJ C 300, 29.9.1998.
(3) COM(98) 649 final.