WRITTEN QUESTION E-2307/99 by Lone Dybkjær (ELDR) to the Commission. UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, desertification, environmental cooperation

C 280 E/26

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.10.2000

The EU fully implements all existing UN Security Council resolutions pertaining to Iraq, including those
relating to the oil-for-food programme. It has urged Iraq to co-operate fully with the UN. The Council
notes that Security Council Resolution 1284, adopted on 17 December 1999, aims to expand and improve
the oil-for-food programme.

The Council does not share the views expressed in the last sentence of the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question.

(2000/C 280 E/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2307/99

by Lone Dybkj(cid:230)r (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: UN Convention to Combat Desertification

The following questions are tabled with a view to securing clarification of the positions taken by the
Commission in implementing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD).

In which developing countries does the European Union take part in funding the implementation of
1.
national action plans to combat desertification? How much money is spent, what is the money used for,
and who is the recipient? How does the established financial cooperation ensure the continuity of action
programmes and allow for necessary long-term planning?

2. What has the European Union done to encourage the mobilisation of funding from the private sector
and other non-governmental sources and to promote and facilitate access by the developing countries
affected to appropriate technology, knowledge and know-how, pursuant to Article 6 of the CCD?

3. What has the European Union done to ensure that its trade policy and tariff structures do not lead to
desertification, e.g. by promoting monocultures?

4. What has the European Union done to ensure that
desertification, e.g. through export subsidies that make traditional agriculture in arid areas unprofitable?

its agriculture policy does not

lead to

5. What does the European Commission Union done to ensure the speedy and comprehensive
implementation of the CCD in the next few years?

6. What has the European Union done to ensure appropriate involvement of European stakeholders in
the implementation of CCD?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2000)

1.
The Community is at the moment not funding the implementation of national action plans to
combat desertification in any country since only a few countries have actually drawn up a plan. However,
it has funded and has continued to fund a variety of programmes and projects against drought and land
degradation in the developing countries, in particular in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. It
is not possible to quantify the amount being spent, because of the cross-cutting nature of the subject.
However, a report (1), which is currently being revised, provides details of the anti-desertification measures
funded by the Community in the developing countries and in the Community over the period 1990-1995.
By providing a financial envelope to each ACP state for the funding of its national indicative programme
over a five year period under the LomØ Convention, the Community provides predictability for action
programmes, allowing for long-term planning for ACP countries.

2.
The Community has a general policy of promoting the private sector in the developing countries and
facilitating the access of these countries to appropriate technology, knowledge and know-how. Indeed, it

3.10.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/27

was for this reason that it set up the Centre for the development of industry (CDI) under the LomØ
Convention. The CDI mobilises funding and technology from private and non-governmental sources for
the development of industries in the ACP states. Through structural adjustment support, the Community
assists its partners in creating the enabling environment for the growth of the private sector.

3.
In pursuit of its overall policy of gradual integration of the developing countries into the global
economy, the Community aims at ensuring that trade does not have negative impacts on the environment.
This was why it advocated the inclusion of the question of (cid:145)trade and environment(cid:146) in the millennium
round of the World trade organisation (WTO).

The Community pursues a policy of sustainable development and environmental protection in the
4.
developing countries. Agricultural export subsidies (stabex)
the issues currently being re-
negotiated, under the post-LomØ arrangements, with the ACP states. Without prejudicing the outcome,
the Community(cid:146)s aim is precisely to ensure that they do not have negative effects on agriculture in these
countries.

is one of

The Commission delegations in the ACP countries have been asked to initiate dialogue, wherever
5.
possible, with national co-ordinating bodies and focal points of the Convention to combat desertification
(CCD) with a view to determining the best way forward in implementation of the Convention. The
outcome of this exercise will enable the Commission to act in a more speedy manner.

6.
The Community advocates decentralised co-operation and the involvement of all concerned in
Europe in the development process, including the implementation of the CCD. It has co-funded and will
continue to co-fund projects in the developing countries with European non-governmental organisations.

(1)

SEC(97) 1429.

(2000/C 280 E/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2313/99

by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Safety of rail traffic in the EU countries

Lorry traffic has grown considerably in the EU countries over the past decades. In 1970 one third of goods
traffic went by rail, last year it was only 14 %. The opening of rail traffic to competition is important so
that still more goods traffic can move on to the railways. Promoting rail transport would reduce the
congestion on main roads and the environmental damage caused by traffic.

It is thought that improving the competitiveness of the railways will alleviate Europe(cid:146)s traffic problems.
The liberalisation of competition must not however take place at the cost of train safety, but the
maintenance of track, for example, should be separated from the running of trains.

What measures has the Commission taken to guarantee greater safety in rail transport in the EU countries?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2000)

By its nature and as a result of its operational procedures rail is an exceedingly safe means of transport.
Even when including all rail related deaths including suicides and level crossing accidents, rail fatality rates
per traffic unit are around a quarter of those for road. Passenger fatalities per passenger-kilometre for rail