WRITTEN QUESTION No. 336/99 by Gianni TAMINO Construction of a 'Camper Service' in the Nature Reserve at Pian de Spagna (SO)
Date: 1999-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, TAMINO
Subjects: European Regional Development Fund, Italy, agricultural holding, camping, humid zone, nature reserve, project evaluation, protected area, tourism, tourist infrastructure

29.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 341/93

the provisions of Directive 92/50/EEC or the general principles of the EC Treaty are applicable in this case. This
distinction depends on a number of factors, in particular the type of remuneration the managing companies
receive and the extent of the risk they assume.

The Commission therefore feels that it would be useful to ask the Italian authorities to provide this
information, and will accordingly send them a letter on this matter as soon as possible. Should the
Commission find that there has been an infringement of Community law, it will assess whether infringement
proceedings should be initiated under Article 169 of the EC Treaty.

In any event, the Commission can already answer the second question asked by the Honourable Member. Even
if it were the case that an organisation such as the UNIRE (Unione Nazionale per l’Incremento delle Razze
Equine 1 National Union for the Promotion of Horse Breeding) were temporarily the only beneficiary of a
concession, this on its own would not constitute a breach of Community competition rules.

(1999/C 341/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0336/99

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Subject: Construction of a ‘Camper Service’ in the Nature Reserve at Pian de Spagna (SO)

The nature reserve at Pian de Spagna 1 Lake Mezzola (SO) was created by Regional Decree No III/1913 of
6 February 1985 and is included in the list of wetlands of international importance (above all as a habitat for
water birds) signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar and ratified by Italy by Decree of the President of the
Republic No 448 of 13 July 1976. This reserve covers an area of 1 586 hectares in five communes (Dubino,
Novate Mezzola, Verceia 1 in the province of Sondrio 1 Gera Lario and Sorico 1 in the province of Como)
and is characterised by a system of lakes and rivers linked by cane thickets, water meadows and cultivated
agricultural land.

The commune of Sorico has approved a ‘Camper Service’ plan partly on agricultural land and partly in the
nature reserve. The project consists of a building to be used as a tourist reception area, an area set aside for a
windsurfing school, changing rooms, showers and lavatories, facilities for campers (refuse collection and water
supply) and an area covering a total of approximately 20 000 m2 for camping vans and caravans. 50 % of the
project is funded from the Plan for the Development of Rural Areas 1 Objective 5b 1 Measure 2.4
‘Qualification for tourist activities and structures’.

Does the Commission consider that a measure such as the one briefly described is compatible with the
objectives of the abovementioned European Fund, the objectives of protection of the conservation areas
covered by the Ramsar Convention and Directive 85/337/EEC (1) and the subsequent amendments thereto?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 1999)

The site of Lago di Mezzola e Pian di Spagna has been designated by the Italian authorities as a special
protection area (code IT2040022) pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the
conservation of wild birds (1). Consequently the provisions of Article 6.2 to 6.4 of Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2) apply.

The Commission confirms that the project ‘Camper Service’ has been co-financed by the European regional
development fund (ERDF). A letter has been addressed to the Italian authorities in order to obtain further
information on the project.

The Commission will take the measures necessary to ensure the respect of Community legislation.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.