WRITTEN QUESTION E-2374/00 by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Genres programme.
Date: 2000-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, biodiversity, conservation of resources, research project

C 136 E/24

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

(2001/C 136 E/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2348/00

by VØronique Mathieu (EDD) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Sixth Community action programme for the environment

At the Helsinki European Council of December 1999, the Commission was called on to prepare a proposal
for the sixth Community action programme for the environment.

Does this programme (to be adopted for 2001) include provision for stronger action in environ-

1.
mental emergencies?

2.
If so, in what form will the necessary environmental disaster prevention measures be linked to the
Community action programme for civil protection established by the Council decision of 9 December
1999?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 2000)

The civil protection action programme is the most important platform of co-operation between the civil
protection services at different levels in the Member States. However, practical experience from recent
disasters (cid:129) both natural and technological (cid:129) indicated clearly the current shortcomings and the variety of
threats for and from modern society. Therefore, the protection of people, the environment and property,
including cultural heritage, from risks remains a substantial challenge for the governments of the Member
States and the Community.

The accident risks need to be tackled by a global approach for assuring safety within a coherent and
consolidated framework for assessing, managing, reducing and as far as possible, eliminating these risks in
society. Furthermore, such a risk management regime must be made transparent and understandable
outside expert circles in order to achieve active public participation and confidence. Within such a
framework due account must be taken of the level (cid:129) ranging from local to Community (cid:129) at which
action will be most effective from a practical perspective. Obviously, the local level must have the main
direct responsibility for the safety of the citizens. The Community level can play a significant role in
development of common guidelines and providing an important platform for exchange of experience as
well as for co-ordination of transboundary accidents.

The Commission will reflect on whether and how environmental emergencies will be tackled within the
framework of the new environmental action programme. Enhanced actions are envisaged within a future
in
consolidated civil protection framework for dealing in a wider perspective with accidental risks,
particular those related to environmental emergencies.

(2001/C 136 E/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2374/00

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Genres programme

During the previous Commission the Genres programme was set up to ensure that valuable genetic
resources in farmed plant and animal species are properly evaluated and conserved. This programme
received strong support from the Parliament, operates with a modest budget and grants are allocated, no
more than 30, on a competitive basis.

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/25

Is has come to my attention that application made and granted during the previous Commission have
since been rescinded and funds have not come through.

Can the Commission explain why funding granted to projects from the previous Commission has now
been withdrawn?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 2000)

The Honourable Member is hereby informed that no projects under Regulation (EC) 1467/94 of 20 June
1994 on the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture (1),
which were approved by the Commission were rescinded.

In 1998 seven projects were accepted following the procedures and criteria of this Regulation. Two
contracts were signed in early 1999 and the other five at the end of that year.

Funding granted to projects has not been withdrawn, but is paid following the procedure which applies for
this Regulation.

(1) OJ L 159, 28.6.1994.

(2001/C 136 E/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2383/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: GM-contaminated seeds

In the EU seeds grown by traditional methods have been contaminated by unauthorised GM seeds
(adventis rapeseed in at least five Member States). With seeds, contamination can quite clearly be excluded,
and the option of a threshold level for accidental contamination must therefore be totally rejected.

1. What consequences will the Commission draw from this incident?

2.

How does the Commission assess the different responses to this scandal in different Member States?

Can the Commission give an assurance that this unlawful growing of GM rape is not supported by

3.
EU funds?

4.

Is there any truth in reports that unlawful growing is receiving EU subsidies?

5.
Can the Commission give an assurance that no appropriations from the EU budget have been used
for these unlawful plantings and products, and that if assistance is provided to farmers, the Commission
and the Member States will hold the undertaking concerned liable for compensation?

6.
How is the question of liability and insurance to be solved in the near future, bearing in mind that
any legislation on the basis of the White Paper on environmental liability will take several more years to
implement?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2000)

The Commission is aware of recent interceptions of conventional seed varieties which were contaminated
by unauthorised GM seeds. Since 1966, Community seed legislation has been designed to maximise seed
purity, bearing in mind the many sources of contamination to which production and processing