WRITTEN QUESTION E-1439/00 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Natura 2000 network and the structural funds.
Date: 2000-05-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Structural Funds, application of EU law, biotope, eligibility criteria, protection of animal life

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/43

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2000)

The Commission is in the process of adoption of a proposal for a regulation on technical measures for
highly migratory fish stocks, including provisions on the implementation of the International commission
for the conservation of Atlantic tunas (ICCAT) recommendation on the limitation of fleet capacity in the
albacore fishery.

In addition, and in order to implement the measure in question already in 2000, even before the formal
adoption of the said regulation by the Council, the Commission has addressed a letter to the concerned
Member States asking them to provide the necessary data to implement the measure. On the basis of the
information submitted by Member States, the Commission is proceeding to implement the limitation of
the number of vessels as established by ICCAT.

(2001/C 89 E/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1439/00

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Natura 2000 network and the structural funds

(10 May 2000)

In recent weeks we have seen a further example of the increasingly close and complex relationship
between the structural measures co-financed by the European Union and nature conservation.

On 16 March this year the Commission needed to define the links between the application of the
Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund for the new period 2000-2006 and compliance with the
obligations deriving from Natura 2000.

The Natura 2000 network is one of the most powerful Community instruments for the application of
European environmental policy for nature conservation. It consists of a number of special areas protected
under the (cid:145)Habitats Directive(cid:146) (92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992) (1) and the (cid:145)Bird Directive(cid:146) (79/409/EEC of
2 April 1979) (2).

The Commission decision envisages a series of measures to ensure compliance with the Member States(cid:146)
obligations with regard to the areas protected by Natura 2000 (cid:129) the compulsory inclusion of clear and
irrevocable commitments concerning coherence between the network and the measures proposed in
programming documents (Community support frameworks, single programming documents or operational
programmes), specific monitoring of measures which may entail a risk for the protected areas and possible
on-the-spot checks, as well as careful examination by the Commission via the monitoring committees and
the possibility of taking action in the event of irregularities, leading to the suspension of payments.

According to this decision, can the Commission confirm whether, in the event of non-compliance with the
requirements of the Natura 2000 network, payment for structural measures envisaged for Objective 1
regions might be suspended? Can the Commission give any concrete examples of the cases in which
payment might be suspended?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1999, p. 7.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2000)

When the Commission approved the Community support framework for Portugal for the 2000-2006
programming period it discussed the linkage between the Structural Funds and compliance with the
Community Directives on the Natura 2000 network.

C 89 E/44

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

The rules validated by the Commission on 14 March 2000 were the subject of a press release (1) and were
notified to the Member States on 28 March 2000 but apply only to those, by the date of the Commission(cid:146)s
approval of their programming documents, have not yet notified the sites to be protected under Council
Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora (2)
and Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (3).

In the event of any irregularity, i.e. any failure to meet the undertakings on the submission of lists of sites
to be protected, the Commission will formally notify to the Member State concerned its intention to take
appropriate action without delay under Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying
down general provisions on the Structural Funds (4) or Council Regulation (EC) No 1264/1999 of
21 June 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 1164/94 establishing a Cohesion Fund (4).

Except in special circumstances such action will include recourse by the Commission, in line with the
principle of proportionality, to the provisions on suspension of payments (see Article 39(2) of Regulation
(EC) No 1260/1999 and Article D(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1265/1999 amending Annex II to Regulation
(EC) No 1164/94).

No concrete example of suspension of payment in a case of irregularity can yet be given.

(1)
IP/00/266, 16.3.2000.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(3) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(4) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 89 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1441/00

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 May 2000)

Subject: Import of genetically modified cottonseed

On 29 March this year sources within the organisation Greenpeace stated that Spain was importing
genetically modified cottonseed. It is suspected that Greece and Italy are doing the same.

What action does the Commission intend to take in this context? What control mechanisms does the
European Community have to prevent the entry of seeds of this kind, which are not authorised by the EU?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2000)

The Commission has been informed by the Greek authorities of import of seed of non genetically modified
varieties of cotton carrying impurities of genetically modified cotton seed. The Commission has not
received similar information from either Spain or Italy.

No genetically modified cotton varieties have as yet received authorisation for the placing on the market in
the Community under Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the
environment of genetically modified organisms (1). Two applications, concerning the placing on the market
of insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant cotton, have been submitted to the regulatory committee for
consideration but did not receive a favourable opinion.