WRITTEN QUESTION E-0963/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Drought in Aragon.
Date: 2000-03-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Aragon, Spain, common agricultural policy, drought, economic consequence, farmer, indemnification, irrigation, sustainable agriculture

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/47

Consequently the Commission has not foreseen financing for meetings among eligible institutions prior to
presentation of project proposals under the framework of the ALFA programme, launched on 15 February
2000 (1).

(1) OJ C 42, 15.2.2000.

(2001/C 53 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0958/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: EU contribution to tourism development in Melilla

(29 March 2000)

The city of Melilla, located in North Africa and part of the European Union, is seeking means of resolving
the major problems affecting it, namely isolation and the need to diversify its economy through the
sustained development of tourism. Potentially it offers a double attractiveness, as a European city for the
Maghreb and as a gateway to Africa for Europe.

Melilla therefore needs to implement a large-scale tourism plan, including the regeneration of its beaches
and the improvement of sea and air communications links. These two key factors will make it possible to
dynamise other elements that are needed for a far-reaching tourism development programme.

Can the Commission state to what extent it believes that the EU can participate in an integrated tourism
development plan for Melilla, to enable this city, situated in North Africa but part of the Union, to
become, in the medium to long term, a genuine tourist attraction for all the Union(cid:146)s Member States?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 May 2000)

The autonomous city of Melilla is eligible under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds for the 2000-2006
programming period.

At present Spain(cid:146)s operational programme proposals are in preparation prior to transmission to the
Commission, which will of course give serious consideration to support for the development of tourism in
Melilla if included.

(2001/C 53 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0963/00

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 March 2000)

Subject: Drought in Aragon

The Spanish region of Aragon suffers from a serious structural drought problem.

Since 1915 the national government has produced successive laws and programmes proposing irrigation
schemes aimed at remedying the problem. However, many of these schemes have never got off the ground
for budget reasons.

Present nature conservation policies originating at EU level are having the effect of paralysing irrigation
projects in large areas of Aragon, leading to the decided rejection of those policies by the great majority of
the inhabitants of the areas affected, who feel that environmental protection is being given priority over
allowing the farmers of Aragon the means of survival.

C 53 E/48

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

Has the Commission considered formulas which could make it possible to reconcile the need to protect
the environment with the avoidance of depopulation in the countryside?

Does the Commission not believe that, as a matter of fairness, farmers who are prevented from irrigating
their land for environmental reasons should receive financial compensation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 May 2000)

The new rural development policy adopted by the Council in June 1999 seeks to establish a coherent and
permanent framework to guarantee the future of rural areas by encouraging the maintenance and creation
of employment and by taking account of environmental requirements. The priorities of this development
policy are strengthening the agricultural and forestry sector, making rural areas more competitive and
preserving the environment and rural assets.

The structural measures provided for by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on
support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (1)
include aid for investments on agricultural holdings to preserve the natural environment, compensatory
allowances in less-favoured areas or those subject to environmental constraints, agri-environmental aid and
support for agricultural and rural activities to protect the environment. With particular regard to the
compensatory allowances, Article 16 of the Regulation provides that payments to compensate for costs
incurred and income foregone may be made to farmers who are subject to restrictions on agricultural use
in areas with environmental restrictions as a result of the implementation of limitations on agricultural use
based on Community environmental protection rules, if and in so far as such payments are necessary to
solve the specific problems arising from those rules. Such measures should help meet the concerns
expressed by the Honourable Member.

It is up to the Member State to submit rural development programmes,
in full compliance with the
principle of subsidiarity. In areas, like Aragon, not covered by Objective 1, the Member States may submit
rural development programmes which include these various measures for financing under the EAGGF
Guarantee Section. Such programmes should in particular describe the situation of the area in question, its
specific problems, the strategy proposed and its priorities and the measures which are intended to
implement the plans.

The Commission is currently considering the proposed rural development programmes submitted by the
Spanish authorities on 30 December 1999 with a view to approving them as soon as possible.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 53 E/055)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0964/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Location of the IUCN Mediterranean office in MÆlaga

(29 March 2000)

In her reply for the Commission to my question E-2415/99, Commissioner Wallstr(cid:246)m stated that the
Mediterranean regional office of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is located
in Seville, rather than, as I maintained, in MÆlaga.

I regret to have to contradict Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m, but am obliged to point out that this office is indeed located
(Andalusia Technology Park). The Commission(cid:146)s
in MÆlaga,
information is, therefore, incorrect.

in the (cid:145)Parque Tecnol(cid:243)gico de Andaluc(cid:237)a(cid:146)

May I ask the Commissioner if, in order to confirm the correctness of my assertion, she or a representative
of hers would be willing to pay a visit to the IUCN(cid:146)s Mediterranean regional office, in order to obtain first-
hand knowledge of it and contribute to the development of the activities it is planning?